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

Doppler effect for sound waves — practice question

A siren on a police car that is moving produces sound waves of frequency $440\,\text{Hz}$. A fixed observer detects a sound frequency of $494\,\text{Hz}$. The speed of sound in air is $340\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. What are the possible speed and direction of travel of the car?

  • A$37\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ directly away from the observer
  • B$37\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ directly towards the observer
  • C$42\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ directly away from the observer
  • D$42\,\text{m s}^{-1}$ directly towards the observer

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