Physics Waves KU 2024
PMDC Verified Question 15 of 125
A police car, with its siren on, is moving towards a stationary listener. How does the stationary listener receive the frequency of the sound emitted by the siren? It
A
Decreases
B
Increases
C
Stays the same
D
Varies randomly
Tap any option to test your recall and reveal the step-by-step Propolis autopsy.

Propolis Cognitive Error Autopsy

Official Correct Choice:
Option B: Increases
Concept:

The Doppler Effect states that relative motion alters the perceived frequency of a wave.

Solution:

  • As the police car (source) moves rapidly towards the listener, it "chases" the sound waves it just emitted.


  • This forward motion physically squashes the wave fronts together in the space ahead of the car, shortening the spatial wavelength (\( \lambda \)).


  • Because wave speed in air remains constant (\( v = f\lambda \)), a shorter apparent wavelength forces the listener's ear to register a higher number of wave impacts per second.


  • Therefore, the perceived frequency (pitch) strictly increases.


Why other options are incorrect:

Frequency would only decrease if the car were driving away (receding). It stays the same only if the car is parked.

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