DOPPLER EFFECT

01 The source is moving when the observer is stationary 01

02 The observer is moving when the source is stationary 02
03 Both the source and the observer are moving 04
04 Explaining the doppler effect 05
05 Effect of wind 06
06 Reflection due to hitting an obstacle 07
07 Doppler effect related to various motions 08
08 Applications of Doppler effect 11
09 Past Exam Multiple Choice Questions 15
10 Past Exam Essay Exercises 18
11 Answers 21
12 Vocabulary 21

Dr. DARSHANA UKUWELA THEORY - 2025

ADVANCED LEVEL PHYSICS
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

The source is moving when the observer 08. A horn of frequency f1 is heard from a vehicle traveling at
is stationary a speed of 34ms-1 towards a stationary observer. It was
heard at frequency f2 when the vehicle speed was less
01. When a source of sound moves with a constant velocity than 17ms-1. If the speed of sound in air is 340ms-1, f1 /f2 is,
towards a stationary person
^1& 18/19 ^2& 1/2 ^3& 2
^1& The observed frequency decreases. ^4& 19/18 ^5& 1
^2& The observed frequency increases.
^3& Acoustic frequency does not change. 09. A sound source S emitting a S

^4& The velocity of the wave decreases relative to the constant frequency, falls downward
observer. u n d e r g r a v i t y. C o n s i d e r t h e
^5& The velocity of the wave increases relative to the following statements about the
source. periodic time of the acoustic tone
heard by an observer at P with time
02. A sound source emitting a sound with frequency f comes (t).
with velocity u towards a stationary observer. If the
velocity of sound in air is v, the observed frequency for ^a& As the source is gradually lowered, the periodic time
the observer is, of the audible tone decreases gradually.
^b& The variation of the periodic time of the audible tone
^1& f ^2& v+u x f ^3& v-u x f is not uniform because the object is accelerating.
v v ^c& If the source S were projected upward under gravity,
v xf v xf
^4& ^5& the periodic time of the audible tone would increase
v-u v+u
and then decrease.
03. A train is approaching a stationary observer with a
uniform speed Vs sounding a horn of frequency f. l0 is Which of the above statements is/are true,
the wavelength of the wave that the horn creates in the air
when the train is stationary. The speed of sound in air is (1) a only (2) a , b only (3) c only
V. When the train is approaching at speed Vs , the (4) b , c only (5) All
wavelength of the wave produced in the air is,
V V 10. A sound source with velocity μ comes away from a
^1& l0 ^2& l0 + f s ^3& l0 - f s stationary observer emitting a sound of frequency f. If
the velocity of sound in air is v then the frequency
^4& l0 - V
f ^5& l0 + V observed by the observer is
f
04. A police officer is doing his duty in the middle of the
v v+μ
(1) f (2) v + μ f (3) f
highway. A car approaches him at a speed of 60ms-1. Its v
driver sounds a horn with a frequency of 520 Hz. What is v v-μ
(4) v - μ f (5) v f
the frequency of the horn heard by the police officer if the
speed of sound in air is 320ms-1? -1
11. A train with a speed of 33ms departs from a station with a
^1& 500 Hz ^2& 600 Hz ^3& 580 Hz beeping horn of frequency 660Hz. If the speed of sound
^4& 700 Hz ^5& 640 Hz in air is 330 ms-1 , the frequency of the horn heard by an
observer on the platform of the station is,
05. A stationary observer hears the horn of a moving car as a
value that differs by 2.5% from the true frequency. If the ^1& 540 Hz ^2& 594 Hz ^3& 600 Hz
speed of sound in air is 320ms-1, the speed of the car is. ^4& 726 Hz ^5& 732 Hz

^1& 6 ms-1 ^2& 7.2 ms-1 ^3& 7.8 ms-1 12. A stationary observer is passed by a car which emits a
^4& 9 ms-1 ^5& 9.6 ms-1 sound. The sound is heard with a change of its frequency
in a ratio of 7 : 3. If the speed of sound in air is U, then the
06. A sound source with frequency n is coming with speed s speed of the train is,
towards a stationary observer. If the sound velocity of air
is v and the observed frequency is n1, then n1 ^1& U/2 ^2& 2U/5 ^3& U/11
n
^4& U/13 ^5& U
^1& (v + s) ^2& v ^3& (v - s)
v (v + s) v
-1
^4& v ^5& (v + s) 13. A car moving on a straight line with a speed of 300 ms
(v - s) (v - s) while sounding a horn of constant frequency passes an
observer who is stationary in its path. Which of the
07. A string of frequency 80 Hz is vibrated and moved following statements is true about the apparent
towards a stationary observer with a velocity of 20% of frequency of the horn heard by the observer?
the speed of sound in air. The frequency of the sound
heard by the observer is, (1) is always constant.
^1& 70 Hz ^2& 80 Hz ^3& 90 Hz (2) gradually decreases
^4& 100 Hz ^5& 110 Hz
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 01
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

(3) increases until the car approaches the observer and f f

then gradually decreases.'
f0 f0
(4) A constant value is heard until the car approaches the
observer, and then followed by a less constant value
than before. t t
(4) (
(5)
(5) An increasing frequency is heard until the car
approaches the observer and that frequency
continues to be heard.
The observer is moving when the source
14. A train engine blowing a horn of constant frequency is stationary.
passes a stationary observer near the railway track with
uniform velocity. The variation in frequency observed by 18. An observer moves with velocity An observer moves
the observer is given by, with velocity μ towards a stationary sound source
f f f B, which sounds a horn of frequency f. If the
velocity of sound in air is v and the frequency
observed by the observer is,
t t t (1) f (2) v (3) v + μ f
f
^1& ^2& ^3& v+μ v
f f (4) v - μ f (5) v f
v v-μ

19. A horn whose frequency is 680Hz is set at a fixed point. A

t t child runs towards it with a speed of 20ms-1. If the speed of
^4& ^5& sound in air is 340ms-1, what is the frequency of the horn
observed by the child?
15. A tone of frequency f Hz is emitted from an acoustic
source moving with constant velocity Ums-1. The ratio ^1& 680 Hz ^2& 720 Hz ^3& 620 Hz
between the frequencies heard by a stationary observer as ^4& 360Hz ^5& 540 Hz
this source approaches and as it passes is, (speed of sound
17Ums-1) 20. A stationary train sounds a 500Hz horn. If the speed of
sound in air is 340ms-1, the frequency and wavelength of
^1& 9 : 8 ^2& 8 : 9 ^3& 1 : 1 the horn sound heard by a person moving at 10ms-1
^4& 9 : 10 ^5& 10 : 9 towards the train is,
16. If an ambulance approaches a stationary vehicle with a
^1& 500 Hz, 0.7m
constant acceleration a and passes the vehicle, the
^2& 360 Hz, 0.7m
frequency variation heard by the driver of the vehicle
^3& 300 Hz, 0.68m
with time will be, (the frequency of the ambulance siren is
f). ^4& 486 Hz, 0.7m
^5& 515 Hz, 0.66m
f f f
21. An observer moves from rest with uniform acceleration a
towards a sound source emitting sound of constant
t frequency f. Choose the correct graph that shows how the
apparent frequency f of the sound heard by the observer
t t changes with time t.
(1) (2) (3)
f f
f f f
f0 f0
t
f0
t t t t
(4) (5)
(1) (2) (3)
17. A horn emitting a tone of frequency f is thrown vertically
upwards with velocity u. The apparent frequency f varies f f
with time as heard by an observer on the ground,

f f f f0
f0 f0 f0 t f0 t
(4) (5)

t t
(1) (2) (3)

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 02

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

22. An observer is moving at a speed of 1/5 the speed of f f

sound in air towards a stationary source of sound. The
percentage of apparent frequency increase,

(1) 5% (2) 20% (3) 0%

(4) 0.5% (5) 40%
(1) t (2) t
23. A siren on a railway platform emits a 5kHz tone. A
passenger on train A traveling towards the siren will hear f
f
it at 5.5 kHz and on another train B, the passenger will
hear the siren at 6 kHz. The ratio of the speeds of the two
trains is,

(1) 252/242 (2) 6/5 (3) 1/2

(4) 6/11 (5) 11/12
t t
(3) (4)
24. An observer is moving with a velocity u away from a f
stationary sound source that sounds a horn of frequency
f. If the velocity of sound in air is v, the frequency
observed by the observer is,

^1& f ^2& v+u x f ^3& v-u x f

v v
^4& v xf ^5& v xf t
v-u v+u (5)

25. The observed frequency by an observer who is moving 29. 02 sound sources which emit waves of wavelength l
away at a velocity of 33ms-1 from a sound source which are situated keeping a gap in-between them. An
emits a sound of frequency 100Hz is, observer moves in a straight line among those 02
sources at a speed of u. How many beats does he hear in
^1& 90Hz ^2& 100Hz ^3& 91Hz a second?
^4& 110Hz ^5& 101Hz
u u
26. A motorcycle starts from rest and moves with an (1) 2l (2) 2ul (3) l
acceleration of 2ms-2. There is a stationary acoustic u l
source at the starting point. At what distance from the (4) 3l (5) 2u
siren does the rider hear a frequency that is 94% of the
30. 02 sirens placed keeping a gap of 1km emit a sound of
true frequency? (Speed of sound in air – 330ms-1)
330Hz. If a man starts moving from one siren towards
(1) 98 m (2)147 m (3)195 m the other with a velocity of 2ms-1, the beat frequency he
(4) 49 m (5) 68 m hears is, (Velocity of sound in air is 330ms-1.)
27. A stationary source emits a sound of frequency 400Hz
and an observer moves towards the source with a
velocity of 10ms-1. The apparent frequency heard by the
observer while moving towards the source and after
passing it are, respectively,
(1) 8 (2) 4 (3) 6
(1) 388.2Hz , 411.8Hz (4) 1 (5) 2
(2) 348.5 Hz , 331.5Hz
(3)411.8 Hz, 331.5 Hz 31. In a certain game, two players of two teams A and B are
(4) 388.2 Hz, 348.5 Hz standing on either side of the field. They have two horns
(5) 411.8 Hz, 388.2Hz with a frequency of 250Hz and they are playing them.
28. A man O starts from rest and moves towards B with When player B2 of team B in the middle of the stadium
constant acceleration. S is a sound source emitting a tone runs at a speed of 10.8kmh-1 along the line connecting
of frequency f0. The graph showing the change in heard AB to pass the ball to player B1, if the beat frequency he
frequency f with the time when man O move to B is, hears is 5Hz, the velocity of sound in air is,

O S B

(1) 340 ms1 (2) 600 ms1 (3) 300ms1

(4) 450 ms1 (5) 500 ms1
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 03
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

Both the source and the observer are moving 38. An observer stands between two sound sources, A and
B, emitting frequencies of 660 Hz and 596 Hz
respectively. Now if the source B and the observer
32. An acoustic source emitting a sound of frequency f and
move away from A at a speed of 30ms-1, the noise heard
an observer are moving towards each other. The by the observer is, (Velocity of sound in air 330ms-1.)
velocity of the observer is u1 and the velocity of the
source is u2. If the velocity of sound in air is v, the (1) 1 (2) 2 (3) 4
frequency heard by the observer is, (4) 6 (5) 8
v+u1 v-u1 v+u1
^1& (
v+u2 f ( ^2&
v-u2 f( ( ^3&
v-u2 f ( (
v-u v+u 39.
^4& ( 1
v+u2 f ( ^5& 2
v-u1 f( (
33. When sound sources with velocities μ1 and μ2and an
observer move in opposite directions. When the source
A police car follows a motorcycle at a speed of 22ms-1. A
emits a sound of frequency f, the frequency observed by
police car sounds its horn at a frequency of 176 Hz. A
the observer is,
siren sounds at a frequency of 165 Hz in front of the line
connecting the two vehicles. If the motorcyclist does not
(1)
( vv +- uu ( f
2

1
(2)
( vv+- uu ( f
1

2
(3)
( vv +- uu ( f
2
1
hear the noise, the speed of the motorcycle is,

(4) v + u2 (5) v + u2 ^1& 33 ms-1 ^2& 22 ms-1 ^3& 0 ms-1

( v - u1
f ( ( v + u1
f( ^4& 11 ms-1 ^5& 44 ms-1

34. Radio B at the front of a closed bus traveling with speed

u emits a tone of frequency f. The frequency heard by the 40.
conductor behind the bus if he is moving forward with a A B
velocity relative to the bus is, (speed of sound in air V)

(v-u+u0) (v+u0) (v+u+u0)

^1& f ^2& f ^3& f
(v-u) v (v+u)
fv fv As shown in the figure, two cars (A and B) are traveling
^4& ^5&
(v-u-u0) (v-u0) on a road at constant speeds. The driver of car A blows
his car horn continuously with frequency f. B initially
35. A car and a bus are traveling in the same direction at moves faster than A. Suddenly car B slows down and
velocities of 10ms-1 and 5ms-1 respectively, while stops. A continues at the same speed and passes B who
simultaneously honking at 300Hz. What are the is stopped. The graph that best represents the variation
frequencies of noises heard by car and bus drivers? in frequency (f) of the horn heard by the driver of car B
with time (t) is"
(1) 4.2Hz , 4.1Hz (2) 4.0 Hz , 4.5Hz
(3) 4.3Hz,4.0 Hz (4) 4.5 Hz, 4.3 Hz
(5) 4.4 Hz, 4.1Hz 41. An ambulance traveling along a straight path with a
36. An ambulance passes a bicycle, sounding a siren with a constant velocity V0 emits a sound of frequency f0 from
frequency of 1600Hz. In passing, the cyclist captures a its siren. A car starting from rest follows the ambulance
frequency of 1590Hz and the speed of the bicycle at in the same direction and the velocity time graph of the
that moment is 2.44ms-1. The speed of the ambulance is, car is shown in figure. The car reaches Va which is the
velocity of the ambulance within a time ta. The variation
(1) 4.6ms-1 (2) 2.5ms-1 (3) 8.9ms-1 of the frequency (f) of the siren heard by a passenger in
(4) 12.3ms-1 (5) 6.2ms-1 the car with time (t) is best illustrated by,

V (1) f
37. A car is traveling on a straight line with a uniform
Va
velocity of 60Kmh-1. 120m later, a lorry follows the car
at a uniform speed of 60kmh-1. When the lorry driver
suddenly honks the horn at 500 Hz, what is the
frequency at which the car driver hears the sound?
(Velocity of sound in air –320ms-1)
320 t
ta
^1& 120 Hz ^2& Hz ^3& 500 Hz
t0
^4& 240 Hz ^5& 320
560 Hz

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 04

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

f f 46. In case of Doppler effect where both source and

observer are in motion,
ʄ0 (1) Only the observed wave velocity changes.
(2) Only the observed wavelength changes
ʄ0 (3) Neither of the observed wavelength nor the wave
velocity changes.
(4) Both the observed wave velocity and wavelength
vary.
(2) t0 (3) t0 (5) Can't say for sure.

47. Consider the following statements

f f
^a& If the sound source is moving towards a stationary
ʄ0 observer, the wavelength of the sound heard by the
ʄ0 observer is less than the actual value.
^b& If both the observer and the source are moving
towards each other, the wavelength of the sound
heard by the observer is less than the actual value.
^c& If both the observer and the source are moving away
(4) t0 (5) t0 from each other, the wavelength of the sound heard
by the observer is less than the actual value.
^d& The wavelength of the sound observed by the
Explaining the doppler effect observer moving away from the source is less than
the actual value.
42. Doppler effect is due to,
True from the above,
(1) the large frequency of the source.
(2) The position of source and observer. (1) d only (2) c only (3) a , b only
(3) the relative velocity between the source and the (4) a , b , c only (5) all
observer.
(4) The source and observer are moving in the same 48. A passenger traveling in a lorry (O) and a van (s) fitted
direction with equal velocities. with a speaker emitting a sound of frequency ʄ are
(5) None of the above. stationary at points A and B at a distance d from each
o t h e r. T h e e x a c t m i d p o i n t o f t h e p a t h i s
43. Which of the following statements is false?
(a) Doppler effect does not occur when there is no ^1& First the lorry (O) moves from A with velocity u to
relative motion between the observer and the
source. the point x while the van (S) is at rest.
(b) In the doppler effect, a change of frequency ^2& After the lorry (O) stops at point x the van (S) moves
occurs in the wave emitted by a source. from B towards x with velocity u.
(c) Doppler effect occurs only for acoustic/ sound ^3& After that the van (S) turns back and moves away
waves. from x with velocity u.
^1& a only. ^2& b only. ^3& c only. ^4& After the van (S) stops again at B, the lorry (O) also
^4& b " c only. ^5& are all true. turns back and moves to A.
44. In case of Doppler effect when only the observer is
If the wavelengths in each of these cases are λ1 , λ2 , λ3 , λ4
moving,
respectively, then what is true about them?
(1) Only the observed wave velocity changes.
(2) Only the observed wavelength changes. (1) λ1 > λ4 > λ2 > λ3 (2) λ1 > λ2 > λ3 > λ4
(3) Neither of the observed wavelength nor the wave (3) λ2 > λ4 = λ1 > λ3 (4) λ3 > λ4 = λ1 > λ2
velocity changes. (5) λ4 = λ1 > λ3 = λ2
(4) Both the observed wave velocity and wavelength
vary. 49. kA
s vibrating shoe vibrating at a constant frequency is
(5) Can't say for sure. placed in a ripple tank and moved with some uniform
45. In case of Doppler effect where only the source is velocity in the → direction. Then the correct position
moving, of the wavefronts should be,
(1) Only the observed wave velocity changes.
(2) Only the observed wavelength changes
(3) Neither of the observed wavelength and wave
velocity changes.
(4) Both the observed wave velocity and wavelength
vary.
(5) Can't say for sure. ^1& ^2&
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 05
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

53. A man runs towards a certain sound source with a velocity

of 20 ms-1. The frequency of sound is 330 Hz. At that time,
a wind blows at a speed of 15ms-1 in the same direction as
the man is moving. What is the visible frequency that
humans can hear? (Speed of sound in air is 345 ms-
1
^3& ^4& ).
^1& 350 Hz ^2& 330 Hz ^3& 315 Hz
^4& 345 Hz ^5& 300 Hz
54. According to the above problem, when the man runs
away from the source with the above velocity, what is the
velocity of the wind to hear the above frequency?
(Assume the wind is blowing in the first direction.)
^5&
^1& 5ms-1 ^2& 10ms-1 ^3& 15ms-1
50. If a vibrating rod is used instead of the vibrating stick in ^4& 20ms-1 ^5& 25ms-1
the above problem, the figure shows the nature of the
ripples formed when the rod is stationary. Now the figure 55. A man was walking on the beach when he heard a
showing the nature of water waves when the vibrating tsunami warning siren sounding from a nearby building
rod is moved towards the right at constant speed is, designed to protect against a tsunami. The building is
→ located 50m towards the land in a line parallel to the
shore where he is. The distance from the man's place to
the building is 130m. Siren frequency is 1600 Hz.
Hearing the siren, the man runs towards the building at a
speed of 5ms-1. The speed of sound in air is 330ms-1. A
(1) wind blows from the sea towards the land at a velocity of
26ms-1. The frequency of the siren heard by the running
→ → man is,

^1& 1625 Hz ^2& 1725 Hz ^3& 1575 Hz

^4& 1825 Hz ^5& 1475 Hz
(2) (3) 56. 2 trains are moving towards each other at a speed of
→ → 30.5ms-1. The train traveling to the right blows its horn at
a frequency of 500Hz. In this case, if a wind blows to the
left at a speed of 30.5ms-1, the frequency heard by a
passenger in the other train is,

(4) (5) ^1& 516 Hz ^2& 508 Hz ^3& 608 Hz

^4& 570 Hz ^5& 600 Hz
Effect of wind.
57. In the above problem, the frequency heard by the
51. A sound source emitting waves of frequency f with passenger if the wind was blowing in the opposite
velocity u is directed towards a stationary observer. If direction is,
the wind blows with a velocity vw in the direction of the
wave, the frequency observed by the observer is, ^1& 592 Hz ^2& 538 Hz ^3& 578 Hz
(velocity of sound in air is v) ^4& 569 Hz ^5& 589 Hz
v v+vW x f v+v 58. Two loops A and B are at X and Y. A man moves from P to
^1& v-u x f ^2& v+u+v ^3& v-u+vW x f
W W Q at a speed of 25ms-1 from two points P and Q which are
v+vW x f v-vW x f midway between X and Y having the same frequency. A
^4& ^5&
v-u-vW v-u+vW wind blows from X towards Y at a speed of 5ms-1. The
speed of sound is 345ms-1 and the ratio between the
52. Navindu is sitting near the window of a train moving
frequencies of the A and B frequencies heard by humans
eastwards at a speed of 10ms-1. Lahiru is watching the
is,
passing train near the railway track. A train horn sounds A B
at a frequency of 500Hz. If a wind blows at a speed of 345x340 375x340
10ms-1 towards the east, the frequency of the tone heard (1)
350x315
(2)
350x315
by Lahiru is given by, (Velocity of sound in still air
340ms-1) 325x340 330x340 ·X ·P ·Q ·Y
(3) (4)
340×500 (340-10)500 (340+10)500 350x365 345x345
^1& (340+10) ^2& 340 ^3& 340 330x325
(5)
^4& (340-10)500 ^5& (340+10)500 365x350
330 350
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 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

59. A person at a bus stop sees an ambulance passing him 62. A device with a transmitter and a receiver emits waves
sounding a siren with frequency f. In this case, a wind w of frequency 18kHz at an object moving towards it with
is blowing at an angle of θ inclined to the direction of speed u B. If the frequency of the reflected wave is 22.2
motion in the plane which the ambulance is traveling. If
kHz then the velocity u is,
the ambulance was traveling at speed u and the speed of
sound in still air was v, the observed frequency of the
siren by the person would be,
w
wind
^1& 1.5×10-8ms-1 ^2& 0.56×10-8ms-1 ^3& 1.0×10-8ms-1
² u ^4& 0.31×108ms-1 ^5& 5.6×10-8ms-1
person
ambulance 63. A radio wave of frequency 840MHz is sent directly into
a spaceship. The frequency of the echo of the radio
wave is 4.2 kHz higher than the first frequency. The
velocity of the plane is,
(1)
( v +v +w wcosθcosθ+ u ( ʄ (2)
( v +v w- wcosθ
sinθ
+ u(
ʄ ^1& 300 ms-1 ^2& 250 ms-1 ^3& 400 ms-1
^4& 750 ms-1 ^5& 600 ms-1
(3)
( v +v -wwcosθ
cosθ
- u(
ʄ (4)
( v -vw- wcosθcosθ+ u ( ʄ 64. A SONAR (Sound Navigation and Ranging) system is
connected to a submarine uses ultrasonic waves of 42
KHz. An enemy submarine moves towards SONAR at
(5)
( v -vw- wcosθcosθ+ u ( ʄ 200ms-1 velocity. If the speed of sound in sea water is
1400ms-1, the frequency of the sound wave reflected by
60. An observer moves with velocity S 20ms towards a horn
-1 the enemy submarine and received by the SONAR
of frequency 640Hz. The speed of sound in still air is system is,
341ms-1. Now a wind is blowing at a velocity of 5ms-1 at
an angle of θ between the horn and the observer as
shown in the figure. If cos θ = 1/5 the frequency heard by
the observer will be,
^1& 36 kHZ ^2& 45 kHz ^3& 48 kHz
20ms-1 ^4& 56 kHz ^5& 50 kHz
q
65. When a train is moving at a uniform speed u emitting a
^1& 682 Hz ^2& 782Hz 5ms-1
horn sound, if the frequency of the horn sound is f and
^3& 677Hz ^4& 600 Hz the speed of sound in the air is v, then the reflected
^5& 674Hz sound from a tunnel in front of the railway track will
cause the visible frequency to a person inside the train,
A reflection due to hitting an obstacle (v-u) v
^1& ƒ ^2& ƒ ^3& ƒ
(v+u) (v+u)
v (v+u)
61. A radar wave of wavelength λ is emitted towards a
^4& ƒ ^5& ƒ
(v-u) (v-u)
vehicle moving at speed u as shown in figure. If Δ f is
the difference between the frequency of the waves 66. A driver is driving up a hill at a speed of 10ms and
-1

reflected from the vehicle and returning to the blows a horn at 300Hz. What is the frequency of the
equipment and the emitted frequency, the speed of the hums the driver hears?
vehicle is,
λ (1) 20.3 Hz (2) 18.18 Hz (3) 28.18 Hz
equipment (4) 20.18 Hz (5) 18.3 Hz
U
67. A frequency generator and a device which can detect the
frequency coming out of it and the frequency coming
back to it and give the beat frequency is fixed in a jeep.
^1& Δf.λ ^2& Δf.λ ^3& 2Δf.λ When the jeep travels at a speed of 20ms-1 towards a
2 large rock emitting a sound with a frequency of 60Hz,
^4& Δf.λ ^5& 4Δf.λ the frequency detected by the detector will be, (Velocity
4 of sound in air is 320ms-1)

(1) 0 Hz (2) 2 Hz (3) 4 Hz

(4) 6 Hz (5) 8 Hz

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 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

68. The driver of a vehicle moving towards an obstacle 72. A bat chases a moth at a speed of 9ms-1 emitting
sounds a horn of frequency f0. The wave pattern heard ultrasonic waves of frequency 82.52kHz. If the kite
by the driver is as shown in the figure below. flies at a speed of 8ms-1, the observed frequency of the
kite is (speed of sound in air 343ms-1)
^A& If the frequency of the horn is 512 Hz, the
frequency of the reflected wave is 504 Hz.
^1& 82.52 kHz ^2& 83.0 kHz
^B& As the speed of the car increases, the beat
frequency decreases. ^3& 82.80 kHz ^4& 82.10 kHz
^C& If the wind is blowing in the direction the vehicle is ^5& 82.50 kHz
traveling and the wind speed gradually increases,
the beat frequency heard by the driver will 73. The frequency hears back by the bat due to the reflected
decrease. sound waves is,

^1& 82.52 kHz ^2& 83.0 kHz ^3& 82.80 kHz

-3
t/ x 10 s ^4& 82.10 kHz ^5& 82.50 kHz

125 250 375

Doppler effect related to various motions
The false statement/ s from the above is/ are.

^1& A, only. ^2& A,C only. The doppler effect related to inclined motions
^3& A, B only. ^4& C, B only.
^5& All 74. A stationary source emits a sound wave of frequency f. If
an observer moves with velocity u in a direction away
69. A car blaring a horn of frequency 200 Hz starts moving from the source at an angle of θ to the line joining the
from point A towards a wall W with a velocity of 10 ms-1. source and the observer, then the frequency heard by the
M is a stationary observer. What is the beat frequency observer is, (Velocity of sound in air)
heard by M when the car passes point B? (Assume the
^1& v-u cosθ x f ^2& v+u cosθ x f
speed of sound in air is 340ms-1.) v v
W
^3& v+u cosθ x f ^4& v-u x f
^1& 3.2 Hz v-u cosθ v
^2& 4 Hz 10 m/s ^5& v+u x f
^3& 5.6 Hz v
^4& 7 Hz
^5& 0 A B M 75. A sound source is moving along the x axis emits waves
of constant frequency. In the position shown, when the
magnitudes of the frequencies heard by stationary
70. A source of sound frequency 256Hz approaches a wall
observers at positions 1,2,3,4 are arranged in ascending
with a velocity of 5ms-1. The resonant frequency heard order,
by a stationary observer between the wall and the
source is, (speed of sound in air 330 ms-1 ) 3
^1& f1, f2, f3,f4
^2& f2, f3, f4,f1
^1& 7.8 Hz ^2& 7.7 Hz ^3& 3.9 Hz ^3& f2, f4, f3,f1 4
^4& 0 ^5& 6.8 Hz ^4& f1, f2, f4,f3
^5& f3, f4, f1,f2 2 S 1
71.
76. When a car is honking at a frequency of 400Hz and
moving with a velocity of 20ms-1, what is the apparent
frequency of the sound that the observer hears when the
line joining the car and the observer is at a certain
moment inclined at 60° to the direction of travel?

O B (1) 325 Hz (2) 321.3 Hz (3) 412. 1 Hz

(4) 249.2 Hz (5) 402.2 Hz
-1
Boy B moves away from a wall at a velocity of 5ms-1 , 77. A car emitting a 600 Hz signal with a velocity of 50ms
0
whistling at a constant frequency. At this time also the in a direction inclined at 60 to the line joining A and B
stationary observer listens the beat frequency of 4Hz. If Moves on horizontal ground. Speed of sound in air
the speed of sound in air is 300 ms-1, the frequency of the 325ms-1 A and B are stationary.
child's heartbeat will be,

^1& 480 Hz ^2& 680 Hz ^3& 840 Hz

^4& 600 Hz ^5& None of the above.
600

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 08

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

The wavelength of B' s apparent sound

, Circular motion and the Doppler effect
The wavelength of A' s apparent sound
81. A string with a frequency of 80 Hz vibrates and moves
towards a stationary a observer with a velocity of 20%
of the speed of sound in air. The frequency of the sound
heard by the observer is,
78. A car is driven on a straight road with a speed of (100/3)
ms-1 sounding a horn of frequency 720Hz. The ^1& 70 Hz ^2& 80 Hz ^3& 90 Hz
frequency heard by an observer at O at the position
^4& 100 Hz ^5& 110 Hz
shown in the figure is, (Velocity of sound in air 340ms.)
82. If the man in the above problem now moves to a point
^1& 620 Hz far away from the circle, the maximum frequency he
300m now hears will be,
^2& 680Hz v-rω v+rω
q ^1& f ^2& v x f ^3& v x f
^3& 720 Hz v v
^4& v-rω x f ^5& v+rω x f
400m
^4& 840 Hz
83. If the man in the above problem now moved to a point
^5& 700 Hz far away from the circle, the minimum frequency he
would now hear would be,
v-rω v+rω
0 ^1& f ^2& v x f ^3& v x f
v v
79. If the man in the above problem now moved to a point ^4& v-rω x f ^5& v+rω x f
far away from the circle, the maximum frequency he
would now hear would be, 84. A stationary observer is standing near a sound source
v-rω v+rω traveling in a horizontal circular path. At the positions
^1& f ^2& v x f ^3& v x f A, B, C shown to him, the frequencies of the sound
v v source are respectively f1, f2, f3; then,
^4& v-rω x f ^5& v+rω x f
^1& f1 > f2 > f3
80. In the morning, a person runs at a constant speed along a
rectilinear path for exercise. While running, he hears a ^2& f2 > f3 > f1
sound of frequency f emitted by a loudspeaker mounted ^3& f1 = f2 > f3
on a tall pole in the middle of the road. Which of the ^4& f2 > f1 > f3
following graphs best represents the apparent frequency ^5& f1 = f2 < f3
of the sound heard by the person versus the person's
displacement relative to the pole? (Regard the
85. A sound source X moves in a circular path with
displacements to the right from the pole as +)
considerable speed starting from A and moving with
uniform angular acceleration. Plotting a graph for the
frequency heard by an observer at Y against time gives,

f f f

f f f

s s s
(1) (2) (3)
f f

f f
s s
(4) (5)

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 09

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

f f f

x y d x y d x y d
(1) (2) (3)

86. A car x travels on a circular track with a velocity of f f

50ms-1 moves from A to B and a horn in it sounds
continuously at frequency 600 Hz. If the speed of sound
in air is 330ms-1, the maximum frequency observed by
the observer at D will be, x y d x y d
-1
50 ms (4)
x (5)
(1) 660 Hz A B
(2) 700 Hz 89. A policeman is standing at position O at a four-way
5m
(3) 640 Hz junction with a roundabout. An ambulance blaring a
(4) 350 Hz horn of frequency f from the direction A comes with a
(5) 600 Hz uniform speed of 80kmh-1, decelerates from B to C to
D
C 3m 40kmh-1, accelerates again and resumes the speed of
80kmh-1 at D. The correct graph showing the variation in
87. Two children A and B move in a B the frequency of the ambulance horn heard by the police
horizontal circle of radius 10m officer is,
with uniform speeds of 15ms-1 A
and 30ms-1 respectively. B A
moves continuously with f
frequency f blowing a horn.
The variation of the apparent B
frequency f heard by A with time t from the position f0
shown in the figure until A and B collide for the first O
time is best represented by,
C distance
f f f A B C D
(1)

f0 f0 f0 D

0 0 0 t(s) f f
t(s) t(s)
π π ^3& π/2
^1& ^2&

f f f0 f0

f0 f0 distance distance
A B C D A B C D
0 0 (2) (3)
^4& π t(s) π t(s) f f
^5&

88. Car A travels along a circular arc from X to Y with a

constant speed. Car B travels along a straight-line path f0 f0
from X to Y with a constant speed. Both the cars
blowing their horns at the same frequency and at X and
Y both the cars are moving together. The graph of the
distance distance
beat frequency (f) heard by an observer at the centre of A B C D A B C D
the arc O, varies with the horizontal distance (d) from X (4) (5)
to Y is,
A

A B B
600 600
X

O
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 10
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

Simple harmonic motion and the Doppler effect

90. As shown in the figure, a horn is engaged in a S.H.M

about the centre point O has an amplitude A and an
angular velocity ω .

A A
(A) The successive interval at which the insect B listens
to the frequency f decreases.
O (B) The value of f1 increases.
If the velocity of sound in air is v and the frequency of (C) The value of f2 decreases.
the horn is f, then the maximum frequency heard by a
child at A is, The true statement/ s is/ are,
v+Aω x f v-Aω v (1) A only (2) B only
^1& v ^2& v x f ^3& v+Aω x f (3) A,C only (4) B,C only
v (5) A,B only
^4& v-Aω x f ^5& f
94. A sound source with amplitude A and frequency f is in
91. The minimum frequency observed by the child in the simple harmonic motion as shown in figure. An
above problem is, instrument at position P captures the acoustic
v+Aω x f v-Aω v frequency. The apparent frequency (f) captured by the
^1& v ^2& v x f ^3& v+Aω x f instrument varies with the displacement (x) of the
v object as,
^4& v-Aω x f
¦ ¦
^5& f

92. A loudspeaker (s) is emitting a note of frequency f0

P ¦0
oscillates on a smooth horizontal plane x simple ¦0
harmonically. At time t = 0s passes the centre of x x
oscillation and approaches N. Which of the following is -A +A -A +A
the variation of frequency f heard by observer O with (1) (2)
¦ ¦ ¦
time t? (in one oscillation).
¦0 ¦0 ¦0

x x x
-A +A -A +A -A +A
(3) (4) (5)

Applications of Doppler effect

95. The velocity of an object is Vs and the speed of sound

through air is V, and the Mach number is called Vs / V.
The MAC number and the correct statement for the
f0 f0 f0 following four figures are,

(1) (2) (3)

f0 f0
figure (1) figure (2)

(4) (5)

93. An insect A moves in a simple harmonic motion while

emitting sound waves of frequency f0 . The graph shows
how the insect B, travels on the same line as A, hears the
sound emits by A. If the amplitude of the motion of
insect A increased, (f1 is the highest frequency, f2 is the figure (3) figure (4)
lowest)

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 11

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

figure 1 figure 2 figure 3 figure 4 (1) 3000m, tan-1 (0.4) (2) 1500m, tan-1 (0.8)
(3) 900m, tan-1 (4/3) (4) 250m, tan-1 (3/4)
^1& ma.N <1 ma.N >1 ma.N =0 ma.N >1 (5) 1200m, tan-1 (3/4)
^2& ma.N =1 ma.N <1 ma.N >1 ma.N =1 5 -1
100. When a star moves away at a speed of 10 ms from the
^3& ma.N >1 ma.N =1 ma.N >1 ma.N >1
earth, the wavelength of the light spectral lines is 57000
^4& ma.N =1 ma.N <1 ma.N =0 ma.N >1 A. How much are those lines displaced, when they
^5& ma.N =1 ma.N >1 ma.N <1 ma.N <1 visibly appears to an observer on the ground? Speed of
light in air is 3×108 ms-1 .
96. When a sound source(s) travels at a speed exceeding the
speed of sound in air, global wavefronts converge along (1) 0.530A (2) 1.060A (3) 1.900A
a conical surface to form a pressure wave. This cone is (4) 3.080A (5) 3.180A
called Mach cone. Consider the following statement.
101. An observer of the night sky found that the light emitted
by a certain star had a wavelength of 800.02 nm. But if
the actual wavelength emitted by that star is 800 nm then
S its velocity and direction relative to Earth, (speed of light
= 3 × 108 ms-1)

(a) The angle of the mach cone increases with the (1) 7500ms-1 away from Earth
speed of the source. (2) 1500ms-1 away from Earth
(b) If the Mach number is n, it means that the velocity (3) 7500ms-1 towards Earth
of the source is n times the speed of sound. (4) 1500ms-1 towards Earth
(c) Pressure waves exist on the surface of the cone as (5) 3000ms-1 away from Earth
well as along the axis.
^1& a only ^2& b only ^3& a,b only 102. An observer on Earth sees the light emitted by a certain
^4& b,c only ^5& All alien craft with a code displacement. The ratio of the true
frequency of that light to the observed frequency by the
97. shows the wave fronts of a supersonic fighter jet. Here observer, is 1.2. If the Earth is stationary relative to the
the half angle of the Mach cone is 300. If the speed of craft, the velocity of the craft is, (the velocity of
sound in air is 330 ms-1 then the speed of the fighter electromagnetic waves in vacuum is 3 × 108 ms-1)
plane will be,
(1) 1.5 × 107ms-1 (2) 3 × 107ms-1
0
30 (3) 6 × 107ms-1 (4) 2.4 × 108ms-1
(5) 1.2 × 108ms-1

^1& 330 ms-1 ^2& 440 ms-1 ^3& 550 ms-1 Essay Questions
-1
^4& 660 ms
^5& Insufficient data is provided for calculation. -1
103. (i) A train is running at a speed of 72kmh blowing a horn
98. A certain particle travels at ultrasonic speed and 3 then of frequency 800 Hz. To a man who is stationary on the
the semi-angle of the Mach cone formed is 450. Then road,
find its Mach number and speed, (Speed of sound in air
is 320ms-1) (1) What frequency does he hear as the train approaches
him?
^1& 1, 320ms-1 ^2& √2, 228.6ms-1 (2) What frequency does he hear as the train moves away
from him?
^3& 1√ 2, 451.2ms-1 ^4& √2 ,451.2ms-1 (3) By how much does the frequency of the sound he
^5& 1√ 2, 340ms hears change as the train passes the man? Take the
speed of sound in air to be 340 ms-1.
99. A supersonic aircraft with a Mach number of 1.25 is (850Hz, 754.8Hz, 95.2Hz)
shown in Fig A man on the ground moves 1200m
vertically above as shown. When the man hears the (ii) Two sounds of frequency 680 Hz are emitted from two
spontaneous thunder, the horizontal distance (S) from sources A and B. Stationary B moves away from A at a
the man to the plane and the angle of elevation the man speed of 30ms-1. An observer between A and B,
sees the plane are, (neglect the man's height). approaches B with a speed of 10ms-1.
(Speed ​of sound = 330ms-1.)
A B
(θ
1200m

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 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

(1) What is the apparent frequency heard by the observer 105. A sound source moves in a circular path of radius 3m with
from the sound emitted from A? an angular velocity of 10rads-1. A sound recorder very far
from the sound source is in simple harmonic motion along
(2) What is the apparent frequency heard by the observer the line BD.
from the sound emitted from B? Its amplitude is BC=CD=6m. The frequency of
(3) How many beats per second are produced due to both oscillation of the recorder is 5/πHz. The source is at A
sources? Does the observer hear this amount of beats? when the recorder is at B. The source continues to emit a
Answers: - 741.81Hz, 623.33Hz, 118.48Hz, NO ^1& Find the velocity of the source.
^2& Find the maximum speed of the recorder.
^3& Find the maximum frequency recorded by the
104. (1) A sound source traveling along a straight path with recorder.
uniform velocity u sounds a horn of frequency f. ^4& Find the minimum frequency recorded by the
Write expressions for the apparent frequency heard recorder.
by a stationary observer in the following cases if the (Velocity of sound in air=330ms-1)
velocity of sound in air is v. E
(a) As the sound source moves towards the 6cm 6m
stationary observer
3m
(b) As the sound source moves away from the A B C D
stationary observer.

(2) A car traveling at a speed of 20ms-1 sounds a horn of F

frequency 600Hz. Consider the speed of sound in 106' As shown in the figure below a sound source whose
air as 340ms-1. frequency is f0 rotates with constant angular velocity in a
(a) What frequency does the observer hear as the horizontal plane in a circular path. A distant observer in
car approaches him? the same plane hears the sound waves emitted by the
(b) What frequency does the observer hear as the source.
car passes him? B

(3) (a) Now the car is moving perpendicularly towards a C A

hill with a velocity of 20ms-1. When the horn is
sounded with a frequency of 600Hz, what is the
D
resonance frequency that the driver hears due to
reflection? Can the driver hear those beats? Give
reasons for your answer.
(a)The observer felt that the frequency of the sound heard
(b) What is the speed of the car when the beat changed from moment to moment. Give the reason for
frequency heard by the driver is 7.5Hz as the car this.
reverses and travels away from the hill?
(b)When the source passes through A and C, he noted that
(4) Now the car is traveling on a circular path AB of
radius 1000 m at a speed of 20ms-1 with the horn the observed frequency is same as the frequency
sounding at 600Hz. The observer is at the centre O of emitted by the source. Give the reason for this.
the path.
(c)He felt that the maximum frequency heard by him was
E
when the source was passing D, and the observed
S minimum frequency was when the source was passing
B
B. Give the reason for this.
A
(d)Graph the variation of observed frequency as the
θ source starts from A and returns to A. Plot its maximum
O O1 and minimum frequencies.
(a) What is the frequency of the horn heard by the
observer at position θ = 600? 107.(1) A point sound source s moves with uniform velocity u
along a straight path towards a stationary observer O
(b) Hence, graph how the frequency of the horn changes and the source emits sounds of frequency f. (Take
as the car moves along the circular path from A to B. velocity of sound in air as v).

a) Derive an expression for the apparent wavelength

to the observer, showing the nature of the
wavefronts.

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 13

Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

b) What frequency is audible to the observer? ^¸& What is the velocity of sound relative to the ground
towards the direction that the wind blows?
c) Find the change in frequency heard by the
observer as the source passes the observer. ^¸¸& What is the new frequency heard by the driver of the
vehicle if the ambulance emits the same sound as
(2) the original frequency?
^¸¸¸& The sound from the ambulance hits the vehicle in
front and is reflected back to the ambulance. What is
the beat frequency felt by the driver in the
ambulance?
E (3) Doppler effect is used to find the periodic time of a
rotating star in a same position relative to the Earth.
During the observation, the frequency of the light
coming from the position A of the star is higher than
A B O C D the frequency of the light coming from the centre of
the star, and the frequency of the rays coming from
100m 25m 25m 150m the position B is slightly reduced. The relation
When an observer on a straight path AD moves from A at a presented in the Doppler effect for light waves is,
constant speed of 10 ms-1 along the path ABOCD, a sound
source emitting sound of frequency 400 Hz moves along the C
f= f
(C ± V) 0
path DCEBA at a constant speed of 15 ms-1. At the same time
the observer starts moving from A, the source starts moving Here C is the speed of light. C=3 x 108 ms-1.
from D. Also take the speed of sound in air as 340 ms-1. Also
take π = 3 V - speed of edge of the star.
f0 - Frequency of light rays coming from the
(a) Find the apparent frequency heard by the observer centre of the star.
between AB. f - Frequency of light waves felt by an observer
(b) Find the apparent frequency moments after the on Earth.
observer arrives at B.
(c) Find the apparent frequency when the observer
B
arrives at O.
(d) Find the apparent frequency just before the
observer reaches C. direction of rotation star
(e) Find the apparent frequency moments after the
observer arrives at C.
A
108.(b) (1) An ambulance and a vehicle are traveling at ^4& Write an expression for the frequency f felt when the
velocities of 40ms-1 and 25ms-1 respectively as rays coming from A reach the earth.
shown in the figure. The frequency of the sound
emitted by the ambulance is 100Hz and the ^5& Write an expression for the frequency f' felt when
speed of sound in air without wind is 320ms-1. the rays coming from B reach the earth.
What is the frequency sensed by the driver of
the vehicle? ^6& Derive an expression for the above frequency
-1 -1 difference Δf=f-f1 and assume C>>V and show that
40 ms 25 ms Δf/f = 2V/C

^7& Find the velocity of the edge of the star taking

Δf/f=4x10-8

^8& If the radius of the star is 2x106m, what is the

(2) While the vehicle and the ambulance are in the periodic time of the star?
above motion, suddenly a wind blows with a
velocity of 30ms-1 in the direction of the vehicle.5-

40 ms-1 wind velocity 25 ms-1

30 ms-1

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 14

Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

Past Exam Multiple Choice Questions 114. A train moving along a straight track at a velocity of
30ms-1 emits a sound of frequency 600Hz. If the speed
109. A sound source moves towards a stationary observer
of sound in air is 330ms-1, the wavelength of the sound
with a speed ¼ of the speed of sound in air. propagated forward along the track will be"
apparent frequency heard by the observer ^1& 30 cm ^2& 40 cm ^3& 45 cm
The ratio is,
frequency emitted by the source ^4& 50 cm ^5& 55 cm
(2003-35)
^1& 1/4 ^2& 1/2 ^3& 3/4 115. A driver sitting in a parked car, seeing another car
^4& 4/3 ^5& 4 moving directly towards his car, sounds his horn. The
(1997-27) frequency of the horn of the parked car is 340Hz and the
110. A sound source S moves towards and away from a speed of sound in air is 340ms-1. If the driver of the
stationary observer 0 as shown in the figure. If the ratio moving car detects the frequency of this sound as
of the velocity of sound in the air (v0) to the velocity of 348Hz, the speed of his is,
the source (vs), i.e., the ratio (v0 /vS) is 11, the ratio of the ^1& 2.0 ms-1 ^2& 3.0 ms-1 ^3& 4.0ms-1
maximum to the minimum values of the apparent ^4& 6.0 ms-1 ^5& 8.0 ms-1
frequency heard by the observer is, (2004-36)
S -1
O 116. A car travels at a speed of 20ms towards a stationary
sound source that produces sound at a frequency of
1kHz. Waves that are reflected from the car and return
^1& 1 ^2& 11/10 ^3& 12/11 to the source are used to produce beats with the original
^4& 6/5 ^5& 11 waves. The approximate value of the beat frequency is
(use the speed of sound in air as 320ms-1)
111. A sound source emitting signals
at a constant frequency fs moves V ^1& 59Hz ^2& 62 Hz ^3& 111 Hz
A B
along an arc of a circle, with ^4& 118 Hz ^5& 133 Hz
constant speed V as shown in the (2005-56)
figure. A stationary observer is O
located at a point X. O is the 117. Figures A, B and C show wave fronts emitted from
centre of the circle. As the three sources of sound. These figures respectively
source moves from A to B, the represent sources,
variation of the frequency (f) X
heard by the observer is best
represented by,
¦ ¦ ¦
A B C
fs fs fs (1) moving to the right, moving to the left, and
stationary.
A B A B A B (2) moving to the left, moving to the right, and
¦ ^1& ¦ ^2& ^3& stationary.
(3) stationary, stationary, and moving to the right.
fs fs
(4) moving to the left, moving to the right, and
(2000-59) moving to the left with the speed of sound.
A B A B
^4& ^5& (5) moving to the left, moving to the right, and
112. A train travels along a straight track. Another train moving to the right with the speed of sound.
travels in the same direction behind the first at the same
118. A source of sound (S), moving with velocity VS emits a
speed. The first train blows a whistle of frequency fo. If
the apparent frequency of the whistle heard by a sound wave of frequency f0. An observer (O) moving
stationary passenger sitting in the second train is f, then with velocity V0 as shown in the figure, determines the
frequency of the sound as f' which of the following
^1& f > f0 ^2& f < f0 ^3& f = f0 statement is true?
^4& f = 2f0 ^5& f = f0/2 ¦0
V0 s Vs
0
-1
113. An observer is moving at a speed of 40ms towards a
stationary siren sounding at a frequency of 600Hz. If the ^1& Vs = 60ms-1 and V0 = 20 ms-1 then f ' > f0
speed of sound in air is 320 ms-1 what is the frequency of ^2& Vs = 20ms-1 and V0 = 60ms-1 then ¦ ' < f0
the sound heard by the observer? ^3& Vs = -20 ms-1 and V0 = -60 ms-1 then ¦ ' > f0
^1& 686 Hz ^2& 675Hz ^3& 600 Hz ^4& Vs = -60 ms-1 and V0 = -20 ms-1 then ¦ ' > f0
^4& 533 Hz ^5& 525 Hz ^5& Vs = 60 ms-1 and V0 = -20 ms-1 then ¦ ' > f0
(2002-19)
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 15
Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

119. A satellite S is moving with constant speed v relative to 121. A sound source is moving towards a stationary observer
the earth (E) along a s fixed circular orbit as shown in at a speed less than the speed of sound in air. As
figure. The satellite is emitting radio signals of measured by the observer,
frequency f0. A station located at P on the earth detects
these radio signals. The variation of the frequency f of (1) A frequency lower than the frequency of the source.
the detected signal as the satellite moves from A to B is (2) A sound with speed lower than
best represented by, (3) A longer wavelength.
υ (4) A sound with speed higher than
P (5) A shorter wavelength
S
A B 122. A source of sound is moving to the right with a speed
faster than the speed of sound. Which of the following
E figures correctly shows the propagation of wave fronts?

f f f

f0 f0 f0
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5)

A B A B A B (2011-06)
^1& ^2& ^3&
123. A train travelling at a constant velocity while
f f continuously sounding its horn with a frequency f0
(2009-54)
moves towards an observer standing on a platform and
f0 f0 then moves away from him. The variation of the
frequency (f) of the horn as heard by the observer with
A B A B time (t) is best represented by,
^4& ^5& f f f

f0 f0 f0
120.
0 t 0 t 0 t
0 (1) 0 (2) 0 (3)
f f
A B
f0 f0
Two cars are moving along a road at constant speeds as
shown in the figure. The driver of A is sounding the horn 0 t 0 t
0 (4) 0 (5) (2012-29)
of his car of frequency f0 continuously Initially the car B
is moving faster than A. Suddenly B slows down and 124. A child, swinging a swing, hears a sound from a
stops. A continues to move at the same speed B which is stationary whistle located in the direction where he is
stopped. The graph that best represents the variation of facing as shown in figure. The minimum and maximum
frequency (f) of sound heard by the driver of B with time frequencies of the sound heard by him are 1314Hz and
(t) is, 1326 Hz respectively. If the speed of sound in air is 330
f f f ms-1 and air remains still, what is the wavelength of the
sound emitted from the whistle?

t ^2& t t
^1& ^3&
f f

t t ^1& 12.5cm ^2& 24.8cm ^3& 25.0cm

^4& ^5& (2010-59) ^4& 25.2cm ^5& 50.0cm
(2013-22)

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 16

Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

125. An ambulance which emits a v 129. A whistle used to train a dog produces a frequency of
sound of frequency f0 from its v0 22kHz, which is higher than the threshold of hearing of
siren is travelling with constant the human. The dog's trainer needs to make sure the
velocity v0 along a straight horn works. The trainer asks a friend to blow this horn
road. 0 t
t0 from a car traveling on the same road while he is
A car starting from rest is moving behind the ambulance standing on the side of that long straight road. For the
in the same direction, and the velocity-time graph of the
trainer to hear the horn sound at his threshold of hearing
car is shown in figure. The car approaches the velocity
v0 of the ambulance at time to. The variation of the of 20kHz, the speed and direction of motion of the car
frequency (f) of the siren sound heard by a passenger in are (the speed of sound in air is 340ms-1).
the car with time (t) is best represented by,
(1) 31ms-1" away from the trainer
f f f
f0 f0 (2) 32ms-1" away from the trainer
(3) 34ms-1" away from the trainer
f0 (4) 32ms-1" towards the trainer
0 t0
t 0 t0
t 0
t0
t (5) 34ms-1" towards the trainer
(1) (2) (3) 130. A whistling firecracker having a constant whistling
f f frequency is fired vertically upward. It travels initially
f0
with an acceleration, then with a deceleration, and
f0 finally blasts before coming to the rest. An observer at
t 0 t
ground directly below the firecracker listens to the
0 t0 t0 whistling sound of the firecracker. Consider the
(4) (5) (2014-47)
following statements regarding the frequency of the
126. During a Tsunami warning, a stationary siren emits sound heard by the observer.
sound waves of frequency 1600 Hz while a wind is (A)During the acceleration, it is higher than the
blowing at a uniform speed of 60 ms-1 from the shore whistling frequency and is decreasing with time.
towards the land. A person hearing the sound of the siren (B)During the deceleration, it is lower than the
is driving his car away from the shore towards the land whistling frequency and is increasing with time.
at 30 ms-1. If the wind blows in the direction of motion of (C)Just before the blast, it becomes equal to the
whistling frequency.
the car and if the speed of sound in still air is 340 ms-1,
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
the frequency of the sound of the siren heard by the
driver is, (1) A only (2) B only (3) C only
(4) A and B only (5) B and C only
(1) 1400Hz (2) 1480Hz (3) 1600Hz
(4) 1740Hz (5) 1880Hz 131. A sound source S emits sound of constant frequency fo.
127.A whistle emitting a sound of frequency ƒ moves along An observer O travels in the direction shown at a speed
the circumference of a circle of radius r at a constant of 0.1u where u is the speed of sound in air. Which of
angular velocity w v is the velocity of sound in air. The the following gives the correct relationship between fo
highest frequency of sound heard by a listener, who is at and the frequency f of the sound heard when the
rest outside the circle is, observer is travelling towards the source?
v
( (
(1) f v-rw (
(2) f v-rw
v ( v
(3) f 1- rw ( ( (1) f = 1.1f0
v v
(4) f rw( ( (
(5) f v+rw ( (2016-36) (2) f0 < f < 1.1f0 0.1u
(3) f0 < f £ 1.1f0 0
128. The figures (A), (B) and (C) show a moving sound
source S producing different frequencies f1, f2 and f3 at (4) f = 0.9f0 S
three different situations. O is an observer carrying a (5) f0 > f > 0.9f0
sound frequency detector. Speed and the direction of (2021-39)
motion of the source and the observer in each situation 132. An alarm in a car at rest is emitting sound waves of
are shown in the figures. If the detector detects the same
value for the frequency in all three situations, frequency 510 Hz. A person on a motorcycle is
S O S O S O travelling directly away from the car. What is his
v ¬· ·®v v ¬· v ¬· ·® v v ¬· velocity if he hears the frequency of the alarm as
f1 f2 f3 480Hz? (Speed of sound in air is 340 ms-1)
(A) (B)
the frequencies produced by the sound source when
arranged in the ascending order is, (1) 10 ms-1 (2) 15 ms-1 (3) 20 ms-1
(1) f1, f2 , f3 (2) f3, f2 , f1 (3) f1, f3 , f2 (4) 25 ms-1 (5) 30 ms-1
(4) f2, f3 , f1 (5) f2, f1 , f3 (2022)
(2017-39)
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 17
 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

133. Figure shows a Ferris wheel rotating clockwise. A T

G S
loudspeaker set up at X continuously emits sound waves ...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
of constant frequency f 0 . Consider the following ...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
B
statements about the pitch of a sound heard by a man on ...................................................
...................................................
...................................................
the Ferris wheel as it passes the positions P, Q, R and S.
q
v R
^a& The original pitch is heard when the man is
positioned at points Q and S.
^b& The peak pitch is heard when the man is positioned at
The figure shows a set up used to measure the blood flow
point P.
in a blood vessel.
^c& The minimum pitch is heard when the man is
positioned at point R. T ultrasound wave transmitting and detecting device
G coupling gel
Of the above statements, S skin
B blood vessel
(1) Only a is true. R- a red blood cell which is travelling at a speed v
(2) Only a and b are true.
(3) Only a and c are true. T transmits ultrasound waves with frequency ft and after
(4) Only b and c are true. reflection from the blood cell receives them with a
frequency fr. θ is the angle between the ultrasound beam
(5) a, b and c are all true.
and the path of the blood celi.
In medicine (fr - ft) is known as Doppler frequency fd which
can be written as
Past Exam Essay Exercises where u is the speed of ultrasound waves in soft tissue. u is
fairly constant for human soft tissue and its value is
1500ms-1. The speed of ultrasound in air is about 300ms-1
134. Explain what is meant by the Doppler effect. How would
you demonstrate this effect using a ripple tank. Give an and densities of air and soft tissue are also fairly different.
application of the Doppler effect. Therefore air/skin interface reflects about 99% of the
incident ultrasound energy. This has to be eliminated
A boat is travelling at 18 km per hour towards a small when the test is carried out.
cliff, sounding its horn at 335 Hz. The speed of sound in
air is 340 ms-1. (1) what is normal audible range for humans?
(2) State two major advantages of using ultrasound in
(1) Find the frequency of the horn as heard by a boy on medical diagnosis.
the cliff. (3) Is ultrasound a longitudinal or transverse wave?
(4) What is the major difference between sound and
(2) An echo of the horn is produced by the cliff. Find the ultrasound?
frequency of the echo as heard by a man in the boat. (5) Is ultrasound an electromagnetic wave? Give reasons
for your answer.
(3) If the man hears the sound emitted by the horn and (6) (a)Calculate the wavelength of 15MHz ultrasound
the echo together, find the number of beats per waves in human soft tissue.
second heard by him.
(b)Give a reason as to why ultrasound is also reflected
(4) if the boat now turns back and moves away from the from small objects.
cliff with the same speed, what is the frequency of the
(7) Use the following steps to derive the formula for fd
echo heard by the man. given in the passage.
(1997)
a) What is the component of the velocity of the red
135. The following passage gives some properties of blood cell R along the direction of device T?
ultrasound waves and describes a Doppler technique used
in medical diagnosis. Read the passage carefully and b) Considering the device as a stationary source and the
answer the questions given below. red blood cell as a moving observer, write down an
expression for the frequency (f) detected by the cell in
By definition, ultrasound is sound having frequency terms of ft, v, u, and θ.
greater than 20kHz, which is above the audible range
20Hz-20kHz for humans. The frequencies used for
medical applications are usually in the range 1MHz to
15MHz. Use of ultrasound in medicine has several special
advantages. The low intensity (<0.1Wm-2) beams used are
not known to produce any damage or undesirable side
effects to humans. Unlike X rays, ultra sound does not
ionize atoms or molecules in human cells. Ultra sound is
also reflected even by objects of small size.

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 18

 Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

e) Sketch the value of the beat frequency measured by

c) Now consider the cell as a moving source emitting the detector as a function of time for a complete
signals of frequency f’. Hence write down an period of oscillation of the liquid surface for the
expression for f, in terms of f’, v, u and θ. situation v <<u.
d) Combine the above two expressions and obtain.
fd=fr ft=2ft uv- cos q
v cosq (3) a) If the time interval between two successive zero
values of the beat frequency is 0.05s, what is the
since(v<< u u-v cos q » u) frequency of the ripples?
(8) For ft= 15MHz fd was found out to be 8kHz. b) For small wavelengths the speed V of the ripples on
Calculate speed v of the red blood cell. Take θ to be a liquid is given by,
10°.
where T, λ and ρ are the surface tension of the liquid,
(9) Why is it desirable to keep θ as small as possible?
V = √(2πT/λρ)
(10) What is the purpose of using the coupling gel G? wavelength of the ripples and the density of the liquid
(2001)
respectively. If λ = 12mm and ρ = 13 600kgm-3, obtain a
value for T. (Take π=3.) (2006)
136. The figure shows ripples moving in x-direction on the 137. The Doppler effect for sound waves depends on three
surface of a liquid. The liquid at the surface performs velocities, namely the velocities of sound, the source,
simple harmonic motion in a vertical direction. and the observer with respect to the air. Normally air is
considered to be stationary relative to the ground and
A stationary sound source/ detector is placed above the therefore these velocities can be measured relative to the
liquid surface to study the vertical motion at a given ground.
location of the liquid surface due to the propagation of
the wave. The sound source sends sound signals However, this is not the situation with regard to light
vertically downwards as shown in the figure, and the waves. Light as well as other electromagnetic waves
reflected signal from the oscillating liquid surface is require no medium, and they are capable of travelling
detected by the detector. The detector is also capable of even through a vacuum. The Doppler effect for light
waves depends on two velocities, namely the velocity of
determining the frequency of the beats produced by the light (c) and the relative velocity (v) between the source
waves emitted by the source and the waves received and the observer, as measured from the reference frame
after being reflected from the liquid surface. The of either source or the observer.
frequency of the sound waves produced by the source is
680 kHz and the speed of sound in air is 340ms-1. If a certain light source is at rest relative to us, we would
detect light from it with the same frequency (f0) as that of
Acoustic source/detector the source, and it is known as the proper frequency. If it is
moving away from us with a speed v (v << c), then the
B light we detect has a frequency f of that is shifted from fo
V due to the Doppler effect and f is given by the following
formula.
A n
x f = f0 (1 - b) here b =
c
(1) a) At what position shown in the figure (A or B) is the However, measurements involving light are usually
speed of the liquid surface minimum? What is the made in wavelengths rather than frequencies, and the
value of the speed? above formula can be rewritten in terms of wavelengths
b) What is the frequency of the reflected sound in the following form
waves at the instant when the speed of the liquid Dl c here Dl = l - l
surface is minimum? u= 0
l0
(2) a) If the speed of sound in air and the frequency of the
sound waves emitted by the source are u and f0 The quantity Dl is called the Doppler shift.If the light
respectively, write down an expression for the source is moving away from us, λ is longer than λ2, Dl is
frequency f' as observed at liquid surface when the positive, and the Doppler shift is called a red shift. If the
liquid surface is moving away from the sound light source is moving toward us, then λ is shorter than λ0,
source at speed v, in terms of v, f0 and u. Dl is negative, and the Doppler shift is called a blue shift.

b) For the situation described in (ii) (a) obtain an

expression for the frequency f' measured by the 138. Read the following passage and answer the questions.
detector in terms of v, f0 and u.
The Doppler effect is the apparent change in the observed
c) Using your expressions in (ii) (a) and (ii) (b) show frequency of a wave when there is a relative motion
that when v<<u the beat frequency measured by
the detector is 2f0v/u. between the source producing the waves and the
observer. Here all the speeds must be measured relative to
d) At what position (A or B) of the liquid surface can the the medium in which waves propagate. Since air is
maximum beat frequency be detected? If this assumed to be at rest relative to the earth, normally the
frequency is 600Hz, find the magnitude of the
relevant velocities are measured relative to the earth for
velocity of the liquid surface at this position.
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 19
Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

sound waves. The change in frequency Df (=observed (iii) Combining expressions obtained in (c) (i) and (c).
frequency-emitted frequency) as a result of the (ii) above, derive an expression for f" in terms of fo,
Doppler effect is known as the Doppler shift. u and c.

The Doppler effect occurs for electromagnetic waves (iv) Taking u<<<c, show that the Doppler shift2uDf
too, such as light waves or micro waves. If the speeds of observed by the speed trap is given by Df = f0 c
the observer and the source are very much less than the
speed c of electromagnetic waves, the Doppler effect (v) If f0 = 3.0 x 1010Hz and Df = 7000Hz calculate the
relationships derived for sound waves could be used speed u of the car in kmh-1 (Take c=3.0x108 ms-1)
for electromagnetic waves by substituting c instead of
the speed of sound. (d) Suppose a wind is blowing towards the speed trap
from the car. Does this affect the speed
measurement of the car? Give the reason for your
The speeds of moving vehicles could be determined by
answer.
measuring the relevant Doppler shift using
electromagnetic waves. The instrument used for this (e) If the speed trap is not aimed directly to the car but
purpose is known as a speed trap which consists of a rather at an angle to it, will the speed of the car
radar transmitter and a radar receiver. From the measured be greater, equal or less than the value
transmitter microwaves are emitted in short pulses and calculated in (c) (v) above? Give the reason for
aimed directly to a moving car as shown in figure (1). your answer.

(f) Now consider a police car with the speed trap

moving at a speed V is chasing behind the car
fõ.
speedW.=,
trap moving with speed u as shown in figure (2). In this
situation the relationship obtained for Df in (c) (iv)
above has to be modified as
Figure (1) Df = f0 2 ( r - u )
c
The emitted microwaves reflect from the surface of
speeding car and return to the receiver of the speed trap. V u
By measuring the resulting Doppler shift, the speed at
which the car moves is determined and recorded. In this
type of applications, use of microwaves has an
advantage over the other waves because they can
penetrate fog, light rain and smoke.
Figure (2)
a) What is the Doppler effect? (i) Determine Df if V = 100 kmh-1. Use the value of u
obtained in (c) (v) above. (Give your answer to the
b) Normally the relevant velocities in Doppler effect are nearest integer in Hz)
measured relative to the earth for sound waves. What
(ii) Explain why Df < 0 in this case.
is the reason for this?
(iii) Which method is more accurate to determine the
c) (i) The radar transmitter emits microwaves of speed u of the car by considering the Doppler shifts
frequency fo. The car shown in the figure (1) obtained in (c) and (f) above? Justify your answer.
approaches the speed trap at speed u. Write down
an expression for the frequency f' of microwaves (g) Write down an advantage of using microwaves in
received by the car in terms of fo, u and c this type of applications.
considering the transmitter of the speed trap as a
stationary source and the car as a moving observer. (2021-6)

(ii) Now the car acts as a moving source emitting

microwaves with frequency f'. Write down an
expression for the frequency f"of microwaves
detected by the receiver of the speed trap in terms
of f', u and c.
DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 20
Advanced Level PHYSICS Doppler Effect

Multiple Choice Questions – Answers Doppler Effect

fvdm,
a ¾ wdprKh
(01) 02 (02) 04 (03) 02 (04) 05 (05) 03
(06) 04 (07) 04 (08) 04 (09) 01 (10) 02
(11) 02 (12) 02 (13) 04 (14) 04 (15) 01
(16) 02 (17) 02 (19) 02 (20) 05
Observer kÍ
s lI
a lhd
(18) 03
(21) 04 (22) 02 (23) 03 (24) 04 (25) 01 Source mN
% jh
(26) 01 (27) 05 (28) 05 (29) 02 (30) 02
Relative Motion idfml
a I
a p,;
s h
(31) 03 (32) 03 (33) 01 (34) 02 (35) 04
(36) 01 (37) 03 (38) 03 (39) 02 (40) 02 Frequency ixLHd;h
(41) 04 (42) 03 (43) 04 (44) 01 (45) 02 Wave Length ;rx. wdhduh
(46) 04 (47) 03 (48) 05 (49) 04 (50) 03
(51) 03 (52) 02 (53) 01 (54) 00 (55) 01 Velocity Of Wave ;rx.fha mf
% õ.h
(56) 03 (57) 05 (58) 03 (59) 05 (60) 03 Observed/ Apparant kÍ
s lI
a ;
s
(61) 02 (62) 04 (63) 04 (64) 04 (65) 05
Real i;Hh
(66) 02 (67) 05 (68) 05 (69) 05 (70) 04
(71) 05 (72) 03 (73) 02 (74) 02 (75) 02 Wave Fronts ;rx. fmruK
q q
(76) 03 (77) 03 (78) 02 (79) 04 (80) 05 Ripple Tank ?<;
s s gexlh
s
(81) 01 (82) 04 (83) 05 (84) 02 (85) 04
(86) 01 (87) 04 (88) 01 (89) 05 (90) 01 Point Source ,lI
a Hdldr mN
% jhka
(91) 02 (92) 02 (93) 04 (94) 00 (95) 04 Mach Number ueÉ wxlh
(96) 02 (97) 04 (98) 04 (99) 02 (100) 03
Inclined Motion wdk; p,;
s
(101) 01 (102) 03
Circular Motion jD;;
a p,;
s
Past Exam Multiple Choice Questions – Answers Simple Harmonic Motion ir< wkj
q ¾;h
S p,;
s h
Reflection mrdj¾;kh
(92) 4 (93) 4 (94) 2 (95) 3 (96) 2
(97) 4 (98) 5 (99) 5 (100) 5 (101) 4
(102) 4 (103) 5 (104) 5 (105) 1 (106) 3
(107) 3 (108) 3 (109) 2 (110) 1 (111) 2
(112) 3 (113) 2 (114) 2 (115) 03

DR. DARSHANA UKUWELA Advanced Level PHYSICS Page | 21