Humphrey the Singing Whale and his mate Matilda.

[ScienceGeek24]

Homework Statement

Humphrey the Singing Whale and his mate Matilda swim toward each other, with Matilda swimming twice as fast as Humphrey. When Humphrey sings a note of a frequency 299 Hz. Maltida hears a frequency of 302 Hz. How fast is Humphrey swimming? (The speed of sound i sea water is 1533 m/s)

Homework Equations

f=f_o(v+-v_o/v-+v_s)

The Attempt at a Solution

v₀=(f_o/f)*v_s and i get 1526.4 m/s

the answer is 5.11 m/s I'm lost , any help?

 

[billVancouver]

Hi ScienceGeek24,

I can confirm that 5.11m/s is the correct answer, and that you're starting out from the right Doppler effect equation - you're on the right track! Just be careful of your signs (the whales are moving in opposite directions, but I think you got that from your +- / -+ notation you wrote down), and start over on your algebra. It should start out like:

302Hz = 299Hz*[(1533m/s - 2*v_Humphrey) / (1533m/s + v_Humphrey)]

which is exactly what you wrote down under 'relevant equations'. If something is still unclear please let me know,

Hope this helps,
Bill Mills