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

Doppler effect for sound waves — practice question

(a)[2]

State what the frequency of a progressive wave means.

(b)[2]

A cathode-ray oscilloscope (c.r.o.) is used to find the frequency of the sound produced by a loudspeaker. The trace on the screen of the c.r.o. is shown in Fig. 4.1. The time-base setting of the c.r.o. is $250\,\mu\text{s cm}^{-1}$. Show that the frequency of the sound wave is $1600\,\text{Hz}$.

(c)

The loudspeaker in (b) radiates sound in every direction. A person fastens the loudspeaker to a string and then swings it at constant speed in a horizontal circle above his head. An observer, far away from the loudspeaker, hears sound with maximum frequency $1640\,\text{Hz}$. The speed of sound in air is $330\,\text{m s}^{-1}$.

(c(i))[2]

Determine the loudspeaker’s speed.

(c(ii))[2]

Describe and explain, qualitatively, how the frequency of the sound heard by the observer changes.

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 8-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: Defines frequency as the number of oscillations per unit time made by the source or by a point on the wave

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