Rearranging the doppler effect formula to solve for Vs

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on rearranging the Doppler Effect formula to solve for the source velocity (Vs). The relevant formula provided is: f_o = f_s (v / (v ± v_s)), which can be manipulated to isolate Vs. The user seeks assistance in step-by-step rearrangement of the equation, ultimately leading to the expression Vs = v(1 - f_s/f_o) or Vs = v(f_o/f_s - 1) depending on the direction of motion.

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  • Understanding of the Doppler Effect in physics
  • Familiarity with algebraic manipulation of equations
  • Knowledge of frequency terms: f_o (observed frequency) and f_s (source frequency)
  • Basic understanding of wave velocity (v) in a medium
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  • Study the derivation of the Doppler Effect equations in various scenarios
  • Learn about the impact of relative motion on wave frequency
  • Explore examples of Doppler Effect problems involving moving sources and stationary observers
  • Investigate the use of LaTeX for formatting mathematical equations
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Students and educators in physics, particularly those focusing on wave mechanics and the Doppler Effect, as well as anyone needing to manipulate equations in physics contexts.

hellokitty
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I know which equations to use for solving Doppler Effect problems, so figuring out which is the observer and which is the source and which is moving or stationary is not the problem, the problem I am having is in solving the actual formulas... This question might belong in the math help section but I thought it was best to post this in the physics area because it does deal with a physics topic.

Anyway, I attached the equations as graphics (maybe somebody knows how to LATEX these?). I am looking for some help in rearranging these equations to solve for each of the variables, V,Vs,Vo,Fo,Fs.

Can somebody please help me arrange the formula where I can solve for Vs??
 

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Here's a latex version of that formula (which applies when the observer is stationary but the source moves):

f_o = f_s \frac{v}{v \pm v_s} = f_s \frac{1}{1 \pm v_s/v}

Do you have an example of the kind of problem that is giving you trouble?
 
the problem is asking to solve for Vs from the formula that I have attached. But I do not know how to rearrange it to where I can solve for Vs. I have everything else in the formula but I do not know how to rearrange it...
 
Do it step by step:

f_o = f_s \frac{1}{1 \pm v_s/v}

\frac{f_o}{f_s} = \frac{1}{1 \pm v_s/v}

\frac{f_s}{f_o} = 1 \pm v_s/v

You take it from here.
 

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