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

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves a bus moving towards a wall while emitting sound, with the sound reflecting off the wall. The original wavelength of the sound is given, and the task is to determine the frequency of the sound heard by an observer on the moving bus after reflection.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Problem interpretation

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to apply the Doppler effect equations to calculate the frequency heard by the observer, exploring two different methods. Some participants question the assumptions made regarding the frequency of the source during reflection.

Discussion Status

Participants are actively discussing the validity of the original poster's assumptions and calculations. There is acknowledgment of differing results from the calculations, with some guidance provided regarding the behavior of frequency upon reflection.

Contextual Notes

There is a mention of confusion regarding the frequency of the source and its behavior upon reflection, indicating a potential misunderstanding of the Doppler effect principles. The problem is set within a multiple-choice context, adding to the complexity of the discussion.

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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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