The Doppler Effect on railroad tracks

[mistymoon_38]

Homework Statement

Do not attempt to do this experiment! You are sitting on railroad tracks,
and extremely fast trains are approaching from both the left and the right.
These trains have equal speeds, and both send out a warning signal with their
horns. You hear this signal at a frequency which is 50% higher than the emitted
frequency. Did I say that these trains went fast? How large is the change in
frequency by the signal sent out by one train and observed by the machinist in
the other?

Homework Equations

f+=f0/1-Vs/V (approaching source)
f-=f0/1+Vs/V) (receding source)
f+=(1+V0/V)f0 (observer approaching a source)
f-=1(-V0/V)f0 ( observer receding from a source)

The Attempt at a Solution

I just need a little help getting started, I don't know where to go with this.

 

[borgwal]

In your case, you are observing the sound from a source approaching you. So, use the appropriate formula, and infer what the speed of the trains (the source) must be.

Then you have to use that information to figure out what the Doppler effect amounts to for the case where both observer and source are moving.

 

[mistymoon_38]

thanks! i think i got it.