Physics 9702 · AS & A Level · Doppler effect for sound waves

Doppler effect for sound waves — practice question

A toy motorboat is travelling with constant velocity $v$ and bobs vertically on the surface of a pond. As a result, the boat produces circular water waves with frequency $2.0\,\text{Hz}$. The wave speed is $1.5\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. A man who is standing by the pond’s edge notices that the waves arriving from the boat have a frequency of $3.0\,\text{Hz}$. The equation used for Doppler effect calculations for sound waves can also be applied to water waves. What is a possible value of $v$?

  • A$0.50\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, directly away from the man
  • B$0.50\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, directly towards the man
  • C$0.75\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, directly away from the man
  • D$0.75\,\text{m s}^{-1}$, directly towards the man

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