All AP Physics 2 Resources
Example Questions
Example Question #1 : Doppler Effect
Suppose that two cars are moving towards one another, and each is traveling at a speed of . If one of the cars begins to beep its horn at a frequency of , what is the wavelength perceived by the other car?
The perceived wavelength will be identical to the source wavelength because the two cars are moving toward one another
We are being told that two cars are moving towards one another, and one of the cars is emitting a sound at a certain frequency. The other car will, in turn, perceive this sound at a different frequency because both cars are moving relative to one another. Therefore, we can classify this problem as one involving the concept of the Doppler effect.
Since the two cars are moving towards one another, we can conclude that the observed frequency should be greater than the source frequency. In order to make that true, we'll need to add in the numerator above, and subtract in the denominator.
But we're not done yet. The question is asking for the perceived wavelength, not the perceived frequency. Hence, we'll need to convert frequency into wavelength using the following formula:
Example Question #1 : Doppler Effect
A motorcycle is receding at . Normally, the exhaust note has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Example Question #6 : Doppler Effect
A train is receding at with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Example Question #1 : Doppler Effect
An ambulance is receding at with it's siren on. Normally, the siren has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Example Question #2 : Doppler Effect
A motorcycle is approaching at . Normally, the exhaust note has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Example Question #1 : Doppler Effect
A train is approaching at with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Example Question #1 : Doppler Effect
An ambulance is approaching at with it's siren on. Normally, the siren has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium.
Plug in values:
Example Question #11 : Doppler Effect
How fast would a car have to go to see a red light () appear green ()?
Use the following formula:
Where
is the velocity of the source
is the velocity of light in the medium
is the source wavelength
is the observed wavelength
Solve for :
Plug in values:
Example Question #12 : Doppler Effect
A train is approaching at with it's horn on. Normally, the horn has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
Use the Doppler effect equation for approaching sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plug in values:
Example Question #11 : Doppler Effect
A motorcycle is receding at . Normally, the exhaust note has frequency . Determine the perceived frequency if the speed of sound is .
None of these
Using the doppler effect equation for receding sources:
Where is the speed of sound in the current medium
Plugging in values: