Doppler Effect: Moving Observer riding on moving source With reflection off wall

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the frequency of sound heard by an observer on a moving bus, which is traveling at 37.00 m/s towards a wall. The original wavelength of the sound emitted by the bus is 0.1500 m, leading to a source frequency (fs) of 2286.667 Hz. Two methods were employed to determine the observed frequency (fo) after reflection: the first yielded 2533 Hz, while the second, using the Doppler effect formula, resulted in 2839.65 Hz. The correct answer is confirmed to be the second method, emphasizing that the frequency of the source does not change upon reflection.

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  • Understanding of the Doppler Effect and its equations
  • Knowledge of wave properties, including wavelength and frequency
  • Familiarity with sound speed in air (343 m/s)
  • Basic algebra for manipulating equations
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  • Learn how to derive frequency from wavelength using the formula f = v / λ
  • Explore sound wave reflection principles and their impact on frequency
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Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics and the Doppler Effect, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to sound frequency and reflection.

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Homework Statement



A bus is moving at 37.00m/s towards a wall. The sound from the bus has an original wavelength of 0.1500m. The sound from the bus reflects off the wall. What frequency sound does an observer on the moving bus hear from the reflection??

Homework Equations



Moving Observer: fo = fs (1 + vo/v)
v = LaTeX Code: \\lambda f

The Attempt at a Solution



Is this doppler effect??

vo = 37.00m/s

Since v = LaTeX Code: \\lambda f

vi = LaTeX Code: \\lambda fi
f = v / LaTeX Code: \\lambda
= (343m/s)(0.1500) = 2286.667hz

Subbing into equation:

fo = (2286.667hz)(1 + 37m/s / 343m/s) = 2533hz
Ok, I ALSO tried another method...

Vs = 37 m/s

Therefore the speed of the wavefront is: vs + v
where v = 343m/s (speed of sound in air)

fs = 343m/s / 0.15m = 2286.667hz

Frequency observed is thus:

(v+vs/v-vs)fs = (343+37 / 343-37) (2286.667) = 2839.65hz

Both of these answers are choices in the multiple choice part, so this is becoming a frustrating question for me.

Help appreciated! Thanks!
 
Last edited:
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The frequency of source does not change on reflection. Could you explain the thought behind your assumption in the first part?
 


aim1732 said:
The frequency of source does not change on reflection. Could you explain the thought behind your assumption in the first part?

I was confused about that too, but am now thinking I misread some of my notes... which would explain A LOT of why that didn't make sense to me.

Could you check my two possible solutions and let me know if either is correct?
 


Well the second one is right.
I was thinking if frequency and velocity of propagation of sound do not change in reflection wavelength shouldn't change too.
 

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