Doppler effect in moving medium?

Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the Doppler effect in a moving medium, specifically addressing the impact of wind on sound frequency. The original poster questions whether a listener moving towards a stationary sound source in a windy environment experiences a frequency change, contrasting it with a scenario where both the listener and source move together without wind. The consensus is that both situations yield similar outcomes, but the standard non-relativistic Doppler formula does not apply. A general Doppler formula is recommended for accurate calculations.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of the Doppler effect
  • Familiarity with sound wave propagation
  • Basic knowledge of reference frames in physics
  • Awareness of non-relativistic versus relativistic physics concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the general Doppler formula for sound waves
  • Explore the effects of wind on sound frequency
  • Learn about reference frames in physics
  • Investigate the differences between non-relativistic and relativistic Doppler effects
USEFUL FOR

Students of physics, educators teaching sound wave phenomena, and anyone interested in the applications of the Doppler effect in varying mediums.

xxxyyy
Messages
14
Reaction score
2
Hi there,
here's the problem:
There's a sound, with a certain frequency coming, from a source.
Both the listener and the source are fixed in a inertial reference frame.
But there's wind blowing from the source to the listener.
Now, this situation isn't the same as the listener chasing the source, both moving with the speed of wind, in a reference frame with no wind?
This would give no change in frequency for the listener, I guess.
The solution in my book gives me another answer: source fixed, listener moving towards the source at the speed of wind (in a reference frame with no wind).
Who's right?
Thanks for the help!
 
Physics news on Phys.org
xxxyyy said:
Now, this situation isn't the same as the listener chasing the source, both moving with the speed of wind, in a reference frame with no wind?
Yes, it is the same. However, the typical non-relativistic Doppler formula does not work for this.

Here is a page on the general Doppler formula that applies for everything.

https://www.mathpages.com/rr/s2-04/2-04.htm
 
  • Like
Likes   Reactions: vanhees71

Similar threads

  • · Replies 16 ·
Replies
16
Views
3K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 64 ·
3
Replies
64
Views
7K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 11 ·
Replies
11
Views
1K
  • · Replies 12 ·
Replies
12
Views
2K
Replies
8
Views
1K
  • · Replies 19 ·
Replies
19
Views
1K