Theme C — Wave Behaviour
C.5.4 Equations for the Doppler Effect of Sound — IB Physics HL Revision Notes & Topical Questions
5 min read 8 parts Lesson 37 of 37 1 quiz
Curriculum Equation Key قوانين الرقم الهيدروجيني والاتزان الأيوني - pH & Acid-Base Equilibrium FormulasFast Exam Solution
pH = -log[H⁺] | pOH = -log[OH⁻] | pH + pOH = 14 | [H⁺][OH⁻] = 10⁻¹⁴
Word Equation & Conditions: الرقم الهيدروجيني = -لوغاريتم تركيز أيون الهيدروجين | pH + pOH = 14
Location & Specifications: الاتزان الأيوني، كيمياء 3 ثانوي، التحصيلي، و AP Chemistry.
Lesson summary
C.5.4 Equations for the Doppler Effect of Sound — IB PHYSICS HL notes: Use the Doppler equations for a moving source and a moving observer of sound, including the wavelength form.Setting — the source moves with speed us relative to the air and the observer is stationaryEquation —…
- Approaching
- Wave speed
- Source receding
- Not symmetric
- Direction check
- Observer example form
Part 1 of 6Moving source, stationary observer
Setting
- Setting the source moves with speed us relative to the air and the observer is stationary
Equation
- Equation f′ = f v/(v ± us)
Approaching
- Approaching the denominator is v − us so f′ is larger
Receding
- Receding the denominator is v + us so f′ is smaller
Wave speed
- Wave speed the speed of sound v is about 340 m s−1 in air
Reason
- Reason each wavefront is emitted from a position the source has moved to
Part 2 of 6Moving observer, stationary source
Setting
- Setting the source is stationary and the observer moves with speed uo
Equation
- Equation f′ = f (v ± uo)/v
Approaching
- Approaching the numerator is v + uo so f′ is larger
Receding
- Receding the numerator is v − uo so f′ is smaller
Wavelength
- λ = v/f is unchanged but the waves pass the observer at relative speed v ± uo
Part 3 of 6Wavelength form
Moving source
- λ′ = λ(1 ∓ us/v)
Source approaching
- Source approaching the bracket is 1 − us/v, so the wavelength shortens
Source receding
- Source receding the bracket is 1 + us/v, so the wavelength lengthens
Link
- Link f′ = v/λ′
Part 4 of 6Choosing the equation
Moving source
- Moving source use the denominator form
Moving observer
- Moving observer use the numerator form
Not symmetric
- Not symmetric equal speeds give nearly equal shifts only when u is much smaller than v
Direction check
- Direction check an approaching source or observer must give f′ greater than f
Medium
- Medium speeds are measured relative to the air and not relative to each other
Labelling
- Labelling mark source and observer on the diagram to choose the sign correctly
Part 5 of 6Finding a speed from a frequency
1
Identify whether the source or the observer moves.
2
Write the correct equation and the sign for approach or recession.
3
Rearrange to make the speed the subject.
4
Substitute f, f′ and v.
5
Check that the sign of the change matches the direction.
Observer example form
- Observer example form uo = v(1 − f′/f) for an observer moving away from a stationary source of frequency f who hears f′
Quick check
- Quick check a small shift gives Δf/f ≈ u/v
Part 6 of 6More from the specification
1Acoustic Doppler frequency calculation
- Acoustic Doppler frequency calculation calculating relative velocities between sound sources and moving observers provides an exact mathematical means for frequency shifts.
2The Doppler Effect and Wavelength Shift
- When a source of sound or light moves relative to an observer, the observed wavelength shifts;
- moving towards the observer causes wavefronts to bunch together, decreasing wavelength (blueshift),
- while moving away stretches wavefronts,
- increasing wavelength (redshift).
3Cosmological Redshift of Distant Galaxies
- Light emitted from distant galaxies observed from Earth shows absorption lines shifted towards the red end of the spectrum compared to laboratory reference values;
- this redshift indicates that distant galaxies are receding with radial velocity v.
4Redshift Equation and Hubble's Law
- The fractional change in wavelength for an astronomical object moving at non-relativistic velocity v is given by z = Δλ / λ₀ ≈ v / c;
- Hubble's law (v = H₀·d) uses this recessional velocity to determine distances across the expanding universe.
5Galaxy
- Huge group of stars, gas, dust and solar systems held by gravity.
6Redshift
- Increase in the wavelength of light from a source moving away from the observer.
7Spectrum
- Range of colours in white light.
8Velocity
- Rate of change of displacement.
9Constant
- Not changing.
10Electromagnetic wave
- Transverse wave that transfers energy from a source to an absorber
11Galactic redshift
- Shift of galaxy spectral lines to longer wavelength due to recession.
12Spectral lines
- Dark or bright lines in a spectrum at wavelengths characteristic of elements.
Key terms
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Observed frequency (f′) | The frequency detected by the observer. |
| Source speed (us) | The speed of the source relative to the air. |
| Observer speed (uo) | The speed of the observer relative to the air. |
| Wave speed (v) | The speed of sound in the medium. |
Avoid these mistakes
1
Adding instead of subtracting in the denominator for an approaching source.
2
Using the speed relative to the observer instead of the speed relative to the medium.
3
Applying the source formula to a moving observer.
4
Getting the direction of change wrong — approach must give f′ > f.
Marked practiceQuizzes for this lesson
Last updated:
Cambridge 9702 & Edexcel Physics
Mark Scheme Points
Doppler Shift & Galactic Red-shift Criteria
Key Equation: Δλ / λ ≈ Δf / f ≈ v / c
- Red-shift: Fractional increase in observed wavelength from receding galaxies.
- Hubble's Law:
v = H0d(Universe age ≈ 1 / H0). - Evidence for Big Bang: Cosmological red-shift + CMBR at 2.7K.