Understanding the Doppler Effect Equation: Velocity and Frequency Relationship

[dekoi]

Suppose a person is traveling towards a wall with a tuning fork at frequency 'f' at a speed of 'v*'. Using the doppler effect equation:
f' \ = \frac{v + v_o}{v - v_s}

What would the sign of v_o and v_s be? I don't understand, since the man is both the observer and the source. (Let - be receeding and + be approaching).

 

[Integral]

Treat the wall as a source which is approaching the observer. Remember that observers are aways stationary.

 

[d_leet]

Remember that observers are aways stationary.

Observers aren't always stationary though. The effect will be different if the wall approaches him than if he approaches the wall.

 

[dekoi]

So which is the correct answer??

 

[berkeman]

Observers aren't always stationary though. The effect will be different if the wall approaches him than if he approaches the wall.

Why? (to b, not to a)

 

[d_leet]

Why? (to b, not to a)

Because if the sound is moving then the waves will be closer together or farther apart than if the sound is staionary.

 

[berkeman]

No. In an approaching situation, the waves are compressed no matter what.

 

[d_leet]

No. In an approaching situation, the waves are compressed no matter what.

but if f is the frequency of the source.

then f(1+ v/v_sound) is noth the same thing as f/(1 - v/v_sound) the equations are different for each situation so the frequencies heard by the listener will be different in each case.