Sound waves and the doppler effect

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving sound waves and the Doppler effect, but it ultimately focuses on kinematic equations rather than the Doppler effect itself. A jet flying from point A to B is analyzed, with a given angle and initial speed, to determine its speed at point B while considering sound travel time. The relevant equations include those for distance and acceleration, leading to the conclusion that the problem can be solved using basic kinematics. The community member expresses gratitude for the guidance that helped solve the problem after much effort. The conversation highlights the importance of correctly identifying the principles applicable to the problem at hand.
seb26
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Homework Statement


A jet is flying horizontally from A to B. When the plane is directly overhead at B, a person on the ground (C) hears the sound coming from A. ABC is a right triangle in B. The angle BCA = 36 degrees.
The average temperature is 20 degrees Celsius. If the speed of the plane at A is 170 m/s, what is the speed at B, assuming that it has constant acceleration?

Homework Equations


f=1/T f: frequency; T: period
v= λ*f = λ/T λ: wavelength
fobserver= fplane*((v+vo)/(v+vp)) v=343m/s

The Attempt at a Solution


First off I don't see what steps to take to come up with the answer. There must some implicit data to take into consideration but I can't figure it out.
What I assume, since there is a right triangle with an angle given, is that one distance has to be found (AC) to find AB with sin.
I found the acceleration by taking t=1second. I know that the sound travels at 343m/s on AC and the speed the plane has after one second on AB is found by calculating vplane= sin(36)*343= 201.6m/s so the acceleration is a= (201.6-170)/1s= 31.6m/s2
I can't figure out how to get the distance from A to C or A to B.

PS: those values are given from my homework given by the teacher, on the book the same problem has 164m/s for the speed of the plane at A, same angle. The answer for the speed at B is 239m/s
 
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Hi seb26, welcome to PF.
your relevant equations are irrelevant, because the problem is not based on Doppler effect.
It is just kinematic equation.
If vi is the initial velocity of the jet at A, vs is the velocity of the sound and t is the time taken by the jet to travel from A to B, then
AB = vi*t + 1/2*a*t^2 ...(1)
Sound starting form A takes the same time t to reach C. So
AC = vs*t...(2)
AB/AC = sinθ...(3) And vf - vi = at...(4)
Using above hints find the velocity of the jet at B.
 
Last edited:
After a whole day of trying to crack this problem with my buddy, your advice is what led us to the answer. God bless you and those of you who help students like us out.

Peace,

Riaz
 

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