In the Doppler Effect, the observed frequency of a wave can be shifted to higher
ID: 1259711 • Letter: I
Question
In the Doppler Effect, the observed frequency of a wave can be shifted to higher or lower frequencies, depending on how the source and observer are moving relative to each other. After reading the section in text about the Doppler Effect, evaluate whether the observed frequency would be higher, lower or the same as the source frequency in each of the following situations. (choices are higher, lower, same)
Observer is moving towards the source and the source is stationary
Source is moving towards the observer and the observer is stationary
Observer is moving away from the source and the source is stationary
Observer and source are both stationary
Source is moving away from the observer and the observer is stationary
Now how about these situations? (choices are higher, lower, same)
Observer and source each moving away from one another
Observer and source each moving due West at the same speed
Observer and source each moving towards one another
Explanation / Answer
1. Observer is moving towards the source and the source is stationary [HIGHER]
2. Source is moving towards the observer and the observer is stationary. [HIGHER]
3. Observer is moving away from the source and the source is stationary [LOWER]
4. Observer and source are both stationary. [THE SAME]
5. Source is moving away from the observer and the observer is stationary [LOWER]
6. Observer and source each moving away from one another [LOWER]
7. Observer and source each moving due West at the same speed [THE SAME]
8. Observer and source each moving towards one another [HIGHER]