A source of sound waves of frequency \(1.0 \mathrm{kHz}\) is stationary. An observer is traveling at 0.50 times the speed of sound. (a) What is the observed frequency if the observer moves toward the source? (b) Repeat if the observer moves away from the source instead.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: The observed frequencies are 1.5 kHz when the observer moves towards the source, and 0.5 kHz when the observer moves away from the source.

Step by step solution

01

Identify the Doppler Effect Formula

The Doppler effect formula for sound waves is given by: $$f_{obs} = f_{src} \frac{v \pm v_{obs}}{v \mp v_{src}},$$ where \(f_{obs}\) is the observed frequency, \(f_{src}\) is the source frequency, \(v\) is the speed of sound, \(v_{obs}\) is the observer's speed, and \(v_{src}\) is the source's speed. In our case, the source is stationary, so \(v_{src} = 0\). The observer's speed is 0.50 times the speed of sound, which can be represented as \(v_{obs} = 0.50v\). #Step 2: Calculate Observed Frequency when the Observer moves toward the source#
02

Calculate observed frequency when the observer moves toward the source

When the observer moves toward the source, we use the formula with the plus sign for the numerator and the minus sign for the denominator. Plugging in the given values, we get: $$f_{obs1} = (1.0 \mathrm{kHz}) \frac{v + 0.50v}{v - 0} = (1.0 \mathrm{kHz}) \frac{1.50v}{v}$$ We can simplify the expression: $$f_{obs1} = 1.5 \times (1.0 \mathrm{kHz}) = 1.5 \mathrm{kHz}$$ So, the observed frequency when the observer moves toward the source is 1.5 kHz. #Step 3: Calculate Observed Frequency when the Observer moves away from the source#
03

Calculate observed frequency when the observer moves away from the source

When the observer moves away from the source, we use the formula with the minus sign for the numerator and the plus sign for the denominator. Plugging in the given values, we get: $$f_{obs2} = (1.0 \mathrm{kHz}) \frac{v - 0.50v}{v + 0} = (1 \mathrm{kHz}) \frac{0.50v}{v}$$ We can simplify the expression: $$f_{obs2} = 0.5 \times (1.0 \mathrm{kHz}) = 0.5 \mathrm{kHz}$$ So, the observed frequency when the observer moves away from the source is 0.5 kHz. To summarize, the observed frequencies for the given situation are: (a) 1.5 kHz when the observer moves towards the source, and (b) 0.5 kHz when the observer moves away from the source.

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