The document discusses the Doppler effect, which is a change in frequency of waves observed by a detector as the source of the waves moves relative to the detector. It was first proposed by Christian Doppler in 1842 to explain the phenomenon for sound waves. The frequency observed is higher when the source approaches and lower when it recedes. Examples given include ambulance sirens, airplanes, and ducks swimming in water. The Doppler effect is applied in radar guns and explains the redshift of light from distant galaxies.