Doppler effect Formula manipulation

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the manipulation of the Doppler effect formula, specifically focusing on deriving the speed of the source from the given equation. Participants are exploring mathematical reasoning related to the formula's transformation and simplification.

Discussion Character

  • Mathematical reasoning, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand the derivation of the Doppler effect formula and expresses difficulty in transforming their version into a more standard form. Other participants share their steps in manipulating the formula and question how to achieve a neater representation.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively engaging in the process of formula manipulation, with some providing guidance on combining terms and simplifying expressions. There appears to be a productive exchange of ideas, with participants confirming the correctness of each other's steps.

Contextual Notes

The original poster expresses uncertainty about their mathematical skills and the clarity of their formula compared to a more standard version. There is a focus on understanding the transformation process rather than reaching a final solution.

Trec93
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Homework Statement


I have this Doppler effect formula, but I don't know how it was derived, I can't repeat the process myself to solve for speed of the source, I would really appreciate if someone could mathematicly solve this in steps, thank you very much.

Homework Equations


f=f_{s}\frac{v}{v-v_{s}} \Rightarrow v_{s}=\frac{v(f-f_{s})}{f}

The Attempt at a Solution


I checked and this is the same thing as the equation above, but mine is messy and ugly, I don't know how to prepare "neaty" formulas like the one above, this often confuses me and forces me to do checks whether my formula is right or not.
v_{s}=\frac{-f_{s}v}{f}+v
 
Last edited:
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Show, step by step, what you've tried and where you've become stuck.
 
gneill said:
Show, step by step, what you've tried and where you've become stuck.
Ok here's how I did it:

f=f_{s}\frac{v}{v-v_{s}}
I multiplied this by: (v-v_{s}) \Rightarrow f(v-v_{s})=f_{s}v
Then I divided by F and subtracted v
-v_{s}=\frac{f_{s}v}{f}-v

Finally I multiplied by the negative sign, that's my result:
v_{s}=\frac{-f_{s}v}{f}+v

I know they both are equal because I checked, but I don't have the skill to make my formula "neat" I often don't understand how people derive their formulas, I hope you know what I mean, I can't transform my formula into one above.
\frac{v(f-f_{s})}{f} = \frac{-f_{s}v}{f}+v
 
Combine the terms on the RHS with a common denominator.
 
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gneill said:
Combine the terms on the RHS with a common denominator.
Like this?
v_{s}=\frac{-f_{s}v}{f}+\frac{vf}{f}
Wait I see where this is going..
v_{s}=\frac{-f_{s}v+vf}{f}
v_{s}=\frac{v(f-f_{s})}{f}
Is this right?
 
Yup.
 
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gneill said:
Yup.
Wow thank you.
 

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