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

Doppler effect for sound waves — practice question

(a)[1]

By referring to the direction in which energy is transferred, state what is meant by a longitudinal wave.

(b)

A vehicle moves at constant speed around a broad circular track. It keeps sounding its horn, which produces a single note of frequency $1.2\,\text{kHz}$. A distant observer is far from the track, as shown in Fig. 4.1. Fig. 4.2 shows how the frequency $f$ of the horn sound detected by the observer changes with time. The time for the vehicle to complete one lap of the track is $T$.

(b(i))[2]

Explain why the frequency of the sound detected by the observer is sometimes higher than and sometimes lower than $1.2\,\text{kHz}$.

(b(ii))[1]

State the name of the phenomenon in (b)(i).

(b(iii))[1]

On Fig. 4.1, mark with a letter X the position of the vehicle when it emitted the sound detected at time $T$.

(b(iv))[1]

On Fig. 4.1, mark with a letter Y the position of the vehicle when it emitted the sound detected at time $\frac{9T}{4}$.

(c)[3]

The speed of sound in air is $320\,\text{m s}^{-1}$. Use Fig. 4.2 to find the speed of the vehicle in (b).

Worked solution & mark scheme

This 9-mark question has a full step-by-step worked solution and mark scheme. One marking point: the particle oscillations run parallel to the direction of energy transfer

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