Derivation of Doppler Effect Equations

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the derivation of the Doppler Effect equations as presented in "Fundamentals of Physics." A participant seeks clarification on the terms used in the equations, specifically questioning the use of vt + vDt versus -vDt when considering the motion of the observer. The explanation provided emphasizes that the total distance covered by the wavefront is the sum of the distance traveled by the wavefront (vt) and the distance traveled by the observer (vDt), reinforcing the concept that both the wavefront and the observer contribute to the effective distance in the context of time t.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of basic physics concepts, particularly wave motion.
  • Familiarity with the Doppler Effect and its implications in wave phenomena.
  • Knowledge of algebraic manipulation for solving equations.
  • Ability to interpret physical scenarios involving relative motion.
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the derivation of the Doppler Effect equations in detail.
  • Explore examples of the Doppler Effect in sound and light waves.
  • Learn about relative motion and its applications in physics.
  • Investigate the implications of the Doppler Effect in real-world scenarios, such as astronomy and radar technology.
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Students of physics, educators teaching wave mechanics, and anyone interested in understanding the principles behind the Doppler Effect and its applications in various fields.

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Hey,
I need a bit of help with the derivation of Doppler's equations as shown in the attached image. (From Fundamentals of Physics)
The paragraph where it states "Now let us again consider the situation..."
I don't understand why they use vt + vDt
I mean, the sound wave would initially have to travel a distance vt to where the observer was, but then the observer D would be moving to the left towards it at velocity vD...
And in a time t, the person would have already traveled a distance vDt to the left, so wouldn't that have to make it -vDt which would indicate that the sound wave has less distance to travel? Or am I totally missing the point?
And the same goes for the second derivation, wouldn't it be + in that case?

I don't know, I totally lack the understanding of what's going on...
I'd really appreciate it if someone could explain this a bit... as I'm not really accustomed to just remembering the formula.

Thanks for any help.
 

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Think this way: How far away is the wavefront if the observer meets the wavefront in time t? The total distance is the sum of how far the wavefront traveled (vt) plus how far the observer traveled (v_D t). (True, the wavefront doesn't have to travel the entire distance to reach the observer. If it did, it would take longer than just t.)

Just like if two people run towards each other, they cover more distance between them faster.
 

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