Doppler Shift as Function of MUSIC

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the Doppler Shift in the context of a music project, specifically how to graph the observed frequency as a function of time. Participants explore the relationship between frequency, source velocity, and the implications of time in the Doppler effect.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses confusion regarding the absence of time in the Doppler Shift equation and seeks clarification on how to represent observed frequency as a function of time.
  • Another participant states that the Doppler shift does not change with time but rather with changes in parameters such as the source's speed and direction, suggesting that if these remain constant, the observed frequency would be constant over time.
  • A different participant notes that time dependence arises from the moving source, implying that knowing the source's velocity is crucial for graphing the observed frequency.
  • One participant challenges the original equation provided, suggesting an alternative equation that includes the observer's velocity, indicating a potential misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the Doppler effect.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the correct formulation of the Doppler Shift equation, and there are differing views on the role of time in the observed frequency. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the proper approach to graphing the observed frequency as a function of time.

Contextual Notes

There are unresolved assumptions regarding the conditions under which the Doppler effect is being analyzed, particularly concerning the velocities of the source and observer, and how these influence the observed frequency over time.

peterblair
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Hello, the internet.

I am attempting to graph Doppler Shift as a function of time for a music project. The equation for observed frequency is:

fo=fs(c)/vs(c)

Where
fo is observed frequency
fs is the source frequency
c is the speed of sound
vs is the velocity of the source

But when working with this equation I became confused: The entire point of the Doppler Shift is that the frequency changes over time, but time seems to be represented nowhere in this equation. So, at what point in time, or alternatively how far away from the listener is this equation measuring?

Also, can someone provide me with an equation that could graph fo as a function of time?

Thanks!
 
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The Doppler shift doesn't change with time, it changes with a change in some of the parameters of the equation you have listed.

For example consider a speaker on a moving platform with a stationary observer. As long as the speaker's speed and direction of travel remain constant, the Doppler shift will be constant in time. In other words if you were to plot observed frequency as a function of time it would be a horizontal line crossing the y-axis at whatever observed frequency you measure.
 
You can graph it if you know v_s. That's where your time dependence is coming from: the moving source.
 
peterblair said:
Hello, the internet.

I am attempting to graph Doppler Shift as a function of time for a music project. The equation for observed frequency is:

fo=fs(c)/vs(c)

Where
fo is observed frequency
fs is the source frequency
c is the speed of sound
vs is the velocity of the source

But when working with this equation I became confused: The entire point of the Doppler Shift is that the frequency changes over time, but time seems to be represented nowhere in this equation. So, at what point in time, or alternatively how far away from the listener is this equation measuring?

Also, can someone provide me with an equation that could graph fo as a function of time?

Thanks!


That equation doesn't look right to me. It should be f_o=\frac{c+v_o}{c+v_s}f_s, where v_o is the velocity of the observer and the other variables are as defined by the OP.
 

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