University Physics I · topic UPI-EXT-WS.10
Beats and the Doppler effect
Connect the ideas, make your working visible, and test the result. Use the hints when you need a starting point; open the full solution after your attempt.
Further practice
Work through a fresh case before tackling the extension.
Beats and the Doppler effect: predict a finite change
Beats are the periodic swelling of loudness, at frequency |f₁ − f₂|, heard when two tones of nearly equal frequency overlap; the Doppler effect is the change in received frequency when the source or the observer moves through the medium along the line joining them. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = f*(343+w)/(343-u), where Y_out is HEARD BY O, AHEAD (Hz). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793. u is Source speed v_s (rightward), measured in m/s. Keep w (Observer speed v_o toward S) = 0 m/s; f (Source frequency f) = 440 Hz fixed. For this exercise use only 25.5 m/s ≤ u ≤ 214.5 m/s on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. Calculate Y_out at u = 67.08 m/s and 93.54 m/s. Find the signed output change ΔY_out and the average sensitivity ΔY_out/Δu across this interval. State whether the response increases or decreases; distinguish this interval average from a derivative at one point.
HEARD BY O, AHEAD against u
Predictions from the supplied Beats and the Doppler effect model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.
Vertical axis (y): HEARD BY O, AHEAD / Hz
Horizontal axis (x): u: Source speed v_s (rightward) / m/s
Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.
Read the exact data as a table
| u: Source speed v_s (rightward) / m/s | HEARD BY O, AHEAD / Hz |
|---|---|
| 25.5 | 475.33858267716533 |
| 72.75 | 558.445883441258 |
| 119.99999999999999 | 676.7713004484305 |
| 167.24999999999997 | 858.7197724039828 |
| 214.49999999999997 | 1174.474708171206 |
These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.
Show a hint
Substitute each value of u separately while keeping every other input fixed, then subtract in the same order.
Reveal the worked solution
- At u = 67.08 m/s, substitute into Y_out = f*(343+w)/(343-u): Y₀ = 546.97 Hz.
- At u = 93.54 m/s, the same fixed-parameter model gives Y₁ = 604.987 Hz.
- Signed change: ΔY_out = Y₁ − Y₀ = 58.0166 Hz; the input change is Δu = 26.46 m/s.
- Average sensitivity is ΔY_out/Δu = 2.19262 Hz per m/s. Its positive sign means that this response increases over the specified interval.
- This is a secant slope between two settings. It equals a point derivative only for a locally linear relation or in a justified small-interval limit.
Answer Y₀ = 546.97 Hz, Y₁ = 604.987 Hz; ΔY_out = 58.0166 Hz; average sensitivity = 2.19262 Hz per m/s.
Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.
Extra challenging questions
Work through the linked stages and explain what each result means.
Beats and the Doppler effect: infer an input with uncertainty
Beats are the periodic swelling of loudness, at frequency |f₁ − f₂|, heard when two tones of nearly equal frequency overlap; the Doppler effect is the change in received frequency when the source or the observer moves through the medium along the line joining them. Use the supplied topic model Y_out = f*(343+w)/(343-u), where Y_out is HEARD BY O, AHEAD (Hz). The output symbol Y_out is distinct from all input symbols. ^ denotes a power; π = 3.141592653589793. u is Source speed v_s (rightward), measured in m/s. Keep w (Observer speed v_o toward S) = 0 m/s; f (Source frequency f) = 440 Hz fixed. For this exercise use only 25.5 m/s ≤ u ≤ 214.5 m/s on this continuous branch. A grid of test settings is an input restriction for this exercise, not by itself a claim of physical quantisation. This calculation retains the topic model's stated assumptions; it does not extend them to a different physical setup. A reading gives Y_out = 746.3528 Hz, with a bounded reading uncertainty ±40.652 Hz. Treat the model and all fixed inputs as exact for this exercise; the bound is not a standard deviation. First estimate the unknown u by straight-line interpolation between the two endpoint predictions. Then solve the actual model on the stated branch to an absolute input tolerance of 0.0189 m/s, using a numerical bracket if required. Find the full input interval consistent with the bounded reading uncertainty and compare it with a symmetric input-error assumption. Do not assume that the supplied calibration points prove monotonicity outside this branch.
HEARD BY O, AHEAD against u
Predictions from the supplied Beats and the Doppler effect model, with all other inputs fixed as stated in the question. 5 calibration points support a trend comparison; they are not measured data or a straight-line law.
Vertical axis (y): HEARD BY O, AHEAD / Hz
Horizontal axis (x): u: Source speed v_s (rightward) / m/s
Axes show the supplied calibration interval; the origin may lie outside the plot.
Read the exact data as a table
| u: Source speed v_s (rightward) / m/s | HEARD BY O, AHEAD / Hz |
|---|---|
| 25.5 | 475.33858267716533 |
| 72.75 | 558.445883441258 |
| 119.99999999999999 | 676.7713004484305 |
| 167.24999999999997 | 858.7197724039828 |
| 214.49999999999997 | 1174.474708171206 |
These are the supplied values, not a worked answer. No fitted trend is drawn.
Show a hint
The model's endpoint predictions bracket the reading. Solve Y_out(u) = Y_measured and then solve again at Y_measured − u and Y_measured + u; a nonlinear inverse can give unequal input deviations.
Reveal the worked solution
- Endpoint predictions are Y_out(25.5) = 475.339 Hz and Y_out(214.5) = 1174.47 Hz. The target lies between them. On the selected branch the response is strictly increasing.
- Endpoint interpolation gives u_line = 25.5 + (746.353 − 475.339)(214.5 − 25.5)/(1174.47 − 475.339) = 98.7643 m/s. This estimates the inverse of the endpoint chord, rather than assuming that chord is the physical model.
- Use the actual equation, not the chord, and bracket its root. Evaluating the midpoint and retaining the sign-changing half-interval gives u = 140.79 m/s; substituting back gives Y_out = 746.3528 Hz.
- The interpolation error in the input is |u_line − u| = 42.0257 m/s. This is larger than the requested numerical tolerance.
- Invert both limits Y_out = 705.7008 Hz and 787.0048 Hz. Sort the roots even if the response decreases: 129.142 m/s ≤ u ≤ 151.235 m/s.
- The lower and upper input deviations are 11.6483 m/s and 10.445 m/s. They differ because the inverse response is nonlinear; a symmetric error bar would only be a local approximation. This interval includes reading uncertainty only, not model error or uncertainty in fixed inputs.
Answer u ≈ 140.79 m/s; compatible interval [129.142, 151.235] m/s. Endpoint interpolation gives 98.7643 m/s.
Compare the assumptions, method and units with your attempt. Explain any correction before trying another question.