Physics Waves UHS 2022
PMDC Verified Question 57 of 125
An airplane travels at a speed of 0.5v is the speed of sound. The airplane approaches a stationary observer. The frequency of sound emitted by the aircraft is 200 Hz. Which frequency does the observer hear?
A
400 Hz
B
100 Hz
C
120 Hz
D
180 Hz
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option A: 400 Hz
Concept:

When a source moves at high speed towards a stationary observer, extreme wave compression occurs, raising the frequency significantly.

Formula:

$$ f' = f \left( \frac{v}{v - v_s} \right) $$

Solution:

  • Given: True frequency \( f = 200 \text{ Hz} \) and source velocity \( v_s = 0.5v \).


  • Substitute into the Doppler equation: \( f' = 200 \left( \frac{v}{v - 0.5v} \right) \).


  • Simplify the denominator: \( v - 0.5v = 0.5v \).


  • Evaluate the fraction: \( \frac{v}{0.5v} = \frac{1}{0.5} = 2 \).


  • Multiply by the true frequency: \( f' = 200 \times 2 = 400 \text{ Hz} \).


Why other options are incorrect:

Option B (100 Hz) results from incorrectly treating it as a receding source (\( v + 0.5v = 1.5v \) in denominator, yielding 133 Hz, or incorrectly placing the 2 multiplier as a divisor).

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