Page "Doppler effect" Paragraph 4

The relative changes in frequency can be explained as follows.

When the source of the waves is moving toward the observer, each successive wave crest is emitted from a position closer to the observer than the previous wave.

Therefore each wave takes slightly less time to reach the observer than the previous wave.

Therefore the time between the arrival of successive wave crests at the observer is reduced, causing an increase in the frequency.

While they are travelling, the distance between successive wave fronts is reduced ; so the waves " bunch together ".

Conversely, if the source of waves is moving away from the observer, each wave is emitted from a position farther from the observer than the previous wave, so the arrival time between successive waves is increased, reducing the frequency.

The distance between successive wave fronts is increased, so the waves " spread out ".