Calculating Doppler Shift for Radar Gun and Moving Ambulance

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the Doppler shift detected by the radar gun from a moving ambulance, the relative speed between the police car and the ambulance, which is 180 km/h, should be used. The radar gun emits radiowaves with a wavelength of 0.0650 m, and since the police car acts as both transmitter and receiver, it is crucial to consider its motion. The correct Doppler shift calculated is 1540 Hz. For accuracy, applying the relativistic Doppler shift is recommended due to the nature of radio waves. Understanding these principles is essential for accurate radar measurements in law enforcement.
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A police car is traveling at a constant speed of 100. km/h with a radar gun which generates and detects radiowaves. The police car and the ambulance drive directly towards each other. The radar gun produces radiowaves with a wavelength of 0.0650 m.

What doppler shift (Δf = f′–f) is detected by the radar gun after the radiowave has been reflected by the ambulance?

I don't really know what to do. Do I use the relative speed between the police car and ambulance which is 180kmph? The right answer is 1540 Hz.
 
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You have to walk yourself through the steps - the police car is acting as a transmitter of the original wave, and a receiver of the reflected wave, and it's moving.

Personally, since radio waves are light, I'd use the relative speed and the relativistic Doppler shift. F it were sound you may have to account for the medium.
 
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