Calculating Doppler Shift for Radar Gun and Moving Ambulance

In summary, the police car traveling at a speed of 100 km/h is using a radar gun to detect radiowaves with a wavelength of 0.0650 m. When the police car and an ambulance drive towards each other, the radar gun detects a Doppler shift of 1540 Hz due to the relative speed of 180 km/h between the two vehicles.
  • #1
mexqwerty
13
0
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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  • #2
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.
 

1. What is the doppler effect?

The doppler effect is the change in frequency or wavelength of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the source of the wave.

2. How is the doppler shift calculated?

The doppler shift can be calculated using the formula: Δf/f = v/c, where Δf is the change in frequency, f is the original frequency, v is the velocity of the observer, and c is the speed of the wave.

3. What is the difference between positive and negative doppler shift?

A positive doppler shift occurs when the observer is moving towards the source of the wave, causing an increase in frequency. A negative doppler shift occurs when the observer is moving away from the source, causing a decrease in frequency.

4. How does doppler shift apply to light waves?

Doppler shift applies to all types of waves, including light waves. It is commonly observed in astronomy, where the movement of celestial objects can cause a shift in the frequency of light waves received on Earth.

5. What factors can affect the calculation of doppler shift?

The calculation of doppler shift can be affected by the velocity of the observer and the source of the wave, as well as the speed of the wave itself. Other factors such as the angle of observation and the medium through which the wave is traveling can also have an impact.

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