Advanced Doppler effect questions

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving advanced Doppler effect problems involving sound frequency changes due to relative motion. The first problem involves calculating the apparent frequency of a train whistle as it approaches and moves away from a stationary observer, using the Doppler effect equation. The second problem requires determining the frequency heard by an engineer in a second train approaching the first, necessitating the combination of velocities from both trains. The third problem involves sound reflection from a moving screen, where the screen acts as a new source, requiring the application of the Doppler formula twice. Participants emphasize the importance of correctly applying the Doppler equations for both moving sources and observers.
Frozen_Mind
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1. The problem statement
1) A train whistle has a frequency of 1000 Hz. If the train is speeding
at a velocity of 60 km/h past a stationary railroad crossing
attendant, what is the apparent frequency a) as the train approaches him, b) as it moves away from him?
Assume speed of sound to be 350 m/s.

2) A second train is approaching the first train (above) with a speed of
60 km/h. Obtain the frequency of the whistle of the first as heard by
the engineer of the second train.

3) Sound is reflected by a screen moving with a speed 20 km/h toward
the source and observer. If the frequency of the source is 450 khz,
what is the apparent frequency of the reflected sound?



Homework Equations



f2 = f1Vs/(Vs + or - Vo), f2 = f1(1 + or - Vo/Vs)

meh I'm really not that quite sure :S

The Attempt at a Solution



I could calculate number 1 using the doppler effect equation f2 = f1Vs/(Vs + or - Vo), but I'm not quite sure how to solve for number 2 and 3... help please ?
 
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i think (not 100% sure) for part 2 and 3 you can use the same method as part 1 except the velocity will be the sum of the 2. so for part 2 the total velocity will be 60 + 60 = 120 km/h
 
Frozen_Mind said:

Homework Equations



f2 = f1Vs/(Vs + or - Vo), f2 = f1(1 + or - Vo/Vs)
What do Vs and Vo mean?

Look up the Doppler formula for sound. There's a formula for when the source is moving and another for when the observer is moving. Of course you can combine them into a single formula when both are moving.

Pheo1986 said:
i think (not 100% sure) for part 2 and 3 you can use the same method as part 1 except the velocity will be the sum of the 2. so for part 2 the total velocity will be 60 + 60 = 120 km/h
No, that's not the right way to solve part 2. Instead you must combine the effect of a moving source (Vs) and a moving observer (Vo) using the complete Doppler formula.

For part 3, the reflecting screen becomes the source. Apply the Doppler formula twice.
 
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