Doppler Effect - AP Physics 2
Card 1 of 76
Suppose a car moves at 
and produces a 
honk. A runner running at 
approaches the car. About what frequency does the runner hear?
Suppose a car moves at
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This scenario deals with both a moving source and a moving observer.
Write the correct Doppler effect formula for this case.
Since the observer and the source are both approaching, the numerator will have a positive sign and the denominator will have a negative sign. The speed of sound is 
. Substitute all the knowns and find the frequency.
This scenario deals with both a moving source and a moving observer.
Write the correct Doppler effect formula for this case.
Since the observer and the source are both approaching, the numerator will have a positive sign and the denominator will have a negative sign. The speed of sound is
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A bat is flying towards a stationary wall at a constant speed of 
. The bat emits a sound of 
towards the wall, which is then reflected back at the bat. If the speed of sound in air is 
, what is the frequency of sound that the bat experiences?
A bat is flying towards a stationary wall at a constant speed of
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To answer this question, it's imperative to realize that we'll need to use the equation for the doppler effect. First, we'll need to calculate the frequency of the sound that reaches the wall. Then, we'll have to calculate the frequency of the reflected wave that reaches the bat.
The doppler effect equation is:
In the first case, we'll consider the frequency received by the wall. The bat is the source in this scenario, which is moving, while the wall is the stationary observer. Therefore, the 
term in the above equation is 0. Moreover, since the bat is moving towards the wall, we should expect the frequency received by the wall to be larger than the original frequency. Hence, we will need to subtract the speed of the source in the denominator, since that will result in the expected increase in observed frequency.
Now that we have the frequency relfected from the wall, we can calculate the frequency that the bat will experience. In this scenario, the wall is now the source. But because it isn't moving, we can say that the 
term in the doppler equation is 0. Likewise, the bat is now the observer in this case and is still moving at a speed of 
. Also, because the bat is moving towards the source, then conceptually we should expect the bat to observe a frequency that is greater than that reflected by the wall. To ensure this, we will need to add the 
term in the numerator of the doppler equation.
To answer this question, it's imperative to realize that we'll need to use the equation for the doppler effect. First, we'll need to calculate the frequency of the sound that reaches the wall. Then, we'll have to calculate the frequency of the reflected wave that reaches the bat.
The doppler effect equation is:
In the first case, we'll consider the frequency received by the wall. The bat is the source in this scenario, which is moving, while the wall is the stationary observer. Therefore, the
Now that we have the frequency relfected from the wall, we can calculate the frequency that the bat will experience. In this scenario, the wall is now the source. But because it isn't moving, we can say that the
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If a music box produces a tone of 
as a boy is running towards the music box at 
, what is the frequency the boy hears?
If a music box produces a tone of
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The formula for the Doppler effect of the moving observer is:
Since the boy is approaching, the positive sign will be used. The velocity of sound is 
. Substitute the knowns into the formula.
The formula for the Doppler effect of the moving observer is:
Since the boy is approaching, the positive sign will be used. The velocity of sound is
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Suppose that two cars are moving towards one another, and each is traveling at a speed of 
. If one of the cars begins to beep its horn at a frequency of 
, what is the wavelength perceived by the other car?
Suppose that two cars are moving towards one another, and each is traveling at a speed of
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We are being told that two cars are moving towards one another, and one of the cars is emitting a sound at a certain frequency. The other car will, in turn, perceive this sound at a different frequency because both cars are moving relative to one another. Therefore, we can classify this problem as one involving the concept of the Doppler effect.
Since the two cars are moving towards one another, we can conclude that the observed frequency should be greater than the source frequency. In order to make that true, we'll need to add in the numerator above, and subtract in the denominator.
But we're not done yet. The question is asking for the perceived wavelength, not the perceived frequency. Hence, we'll need to convert frequency into wavelength using the following formula:
We are being told that two cars are moving towards one another, and one of the cars is emitting a sound at a certain frequency. The other car will, in turn, perceive this sound at a different frequency because both cars are moving relative to one another. Therefore, we can classify this problem as one involving the concept of the Doppler effect.
Since the two cars are moving towards one another, we can conclude that the observed frequency should be greater than the source frequency. In order to make that true, we'll need to add in the numerator above, and subtract in the denominator.
But we're not done yet. The question is asking for the perceived wavelength, not the perceived frequency. Hence, we'll need to convert frequency into wavelength using the following formula:
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A motorcycle is receding at 
. Normally, the exhaust note has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is 
.
A motorcycle is receding at
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Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where 
is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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A train is receding at with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
A train is receding at
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Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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A motorcycle is approaching at 
. Normally, the exhaust note has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is 
.
A motorcycle is approaching at
Tap to reveal answer
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where 
is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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A train is approaching at 
with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
A train is approaching at
Tap to reveal answer
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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An ambulance is approaching at 
with it's siren on. Normally, the siren has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
An ambulance is approaching at
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Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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An ambulance is receding at with it's siren on. Normally, the siren has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
An ambulance is receding at
Tap to reveal answer
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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A train is receding at 
with it's horn on. Normally, the siren has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is 
.
A train is receding at
Tap to reveal answer
Using the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plugging in values:
Using the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plugging in values:
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How fast would a car have to go to see a red light (
) appear green (
)?
How fast would a car have to go to see a red light (
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Use the following formula:
Where
is the velocity of the source
is the velocity of light in the medium
is the source wavelength
is the observed wavelength
Solve for 
:
Plug in values:
Use the following formula:
Where
Solve for
Plug in values:
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A train is approaching at 
with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
A train is approaching at
Tap to reveal answer
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where
Plug in values:
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A motorcycle is receding at 
. Normally, the exhaust note has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is 
.
A motorcycle is receding at
Tap to reveal answer
Using the doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plugging in values:
Using the doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plugging in values:
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How fast towards an observer would a red 
car have to be moving in order to appear yellow 
?
How fast towards an observer would a red
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Using the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where 
is the speed of the wave in the medium, which in this case is the speed of light, 
Combining equations
Solving for 
:
Using the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where
Combining equations
Solving for
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An ambulance is receding at 
with it's siren on. Normally, the siren has frequency 
. Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is 
.
An ambulance is receding at
Tap to reveal answer
Using the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plugging in values:
Using the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where
Plugging in values:
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A rocket ship traveling towards an observer flashes a red light 
. How fast would it have to be traveling for the wavelength to be cut in half?
A rocket ship traveling towards an observer flashes a red light
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Doppler effect:
Where 
is the change in wavelength
is the original wavelength
is the velocity of the source
is the speed of light
Plugging in values:
Solving for 
Doppler effect:
Where
Plugging in values:
Solving for
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A rocket ship traveling towards an observer flashes a light, 
. How fast would it have to be traveling for the wavelength to be cut to one third it's initial value?
A rocket ship traveling towards an observer flashes a light,
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Doppler effect:
Where is the change in wavelength
is the original wavelength
is the velocity of the source
is the speed of light
Plugging in values:
Solving for
Doppler effect:
Where
Plugging in values:
Solving for
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A certain shade of blue light has a laboratory rest wavelength of 
. The same shade of blue light is emitted from a newly discovered galaxy at a wavelength of 
. Using this information, what can we tell about this newly discovered galaxy?
A certain shade of blue light has a laboratory rest wavelength of
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Here, we need to use the Doppler effect equation:
Where 
refers to the wavelength difference between the two sources, 
is the laboratory wavelength, 
is the speed of the source, and 
is the speed of light.
Now, let's plug in all of the values:
.
.
Because the wavelength has been shifted to longer wavelengths (the number is larger than the rest wavelength down on Earth), we say the object is redshifted. Therefore, the source (the galaxy) is moving away from Earth at this speed.
Here, we need to use the Doppler effect equation:
Where
Now, let's plug in all of the values:
Because the wavelength has been shifted to longer wavelengths (the number is larger than the rest wavelength down on Earth), we say the object is redshifted. Therefore, the source (the galaxy) is moving away from Earth at this speed.
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Suppose a car moves at and produces a honk. A runner running at approaches the car. About what frequency does the runner hear?
Suppose a car moves at
Tap to reveal answer
This scenario deals with both a moving source and a moving observer.
Write the correct Doppler effect formula for this case.
Since the observer and the source are both approaching, the numerator will have a positive sign and the denominator will have a negative sign. The speed of sound is . Substitute all the knowns and find the frequency.
This scenario deals with both a moving source and a moving observer.
Write the correct Doppler effect formula for this case.
Since the observer and the source are both approaching, the numerator will have a positive sign and the denominator will have a negative sign. The speed of sound is
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