Determining the Direction and Speed of a Bee's Flight

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves determining the direction and speed of a bee's flight based on the frequency of its wings as perceived by an observer. The context includes the Doppler effect, where the frequency changes depending on the relative motion of the source and observer.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculations related to the frequency of the bee's wings and question the values used, such as the speed of sound. There is an exploration of whether the bee is moving toward or away from the observer based on frequency changes.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants attempting to clarify calculations and assumptions. Some guidance has been offered regarding the algebra involved, and there is a recognition of discrepancies in the calculated speeds. Multiple interpretations of the results are being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working with specific frequency values and the speed of sound, which may influence their calculations. There is uncertainty regarding the correct application of the formula and the resulting speed of the bee.

alksjadf
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Homework Statement


While you are standing still you hear the frequency of the wings of a bee as 245 Hz when the bee is moving through the air. If the bee is hovering, the frequency produced is 251 Hz. Is the bee flying toward or away from you? How fast is the bee flying?


Homework Equations



Not sure. I think:

[1/(1+ (u/v))]f

The Attempt at a Solution



For part 1 I put away from you and for part 2 I put .0163 m/s which I think is wrong.
 
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Can you show more details of your calculation? What value are you using for the speed of sound?
 
I am using 345
 
You should be getting a higher velocity for the bee. Can you show how you got the 0.0163 m/s? I think you are just going wrong in the algebra somewhere.
 
Oh, I think I know where i messed up. Should it be 5.632
 
That's not what I get. Check your work again.
 
It's a bee how fast can it go?

I got the same thing again.
 
You are using the numbers you originally posted, right? If so, I don't see how you got 5.6 m/s.
 

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