THE DOPPLER EFFECT

PART 1
 If you are standing on a street corner and observe an
ambulance with a siren-sounding passing at a constant
speed, you notice two characteristic changes in the sound of
the siren.
 First, the sound increases in loudness as the ambulance
approaches and decreases in loudness as it moves away.
 In addition, the high-pitched siren shifts dramatically to a
lower-pitched sound.
 The characteristic sound of an ambulance with its siren on
while it is moving is an example of the Doppler Effect.
 The person or device hearing the sound is called an,
observer or listener and the object emitting the sound
is called the source.
 The Doppler Effect is defined as the change in
frequency (or pitch) of the sound detected by a
listener, because the sound source and the listener
have different velocities relative to the medium of
sound propagation.
 For the Doppler Effect to occur there must be relative
motion between the source and observer, resulting in
the observer measuring a different frequency of the
waves than the frequency that the source is emitting
 This phenomenon is possible when:
1. When the source moves relative to a stationary
observer.
2. When the observer moves relative to a stationary
source.
 This phenomenon of the Doppler effect applies to both
sound and light waves.
Explaining the Doppler Effect
 The wave fronts shown in the diagram below illustrate this
Source moves towards stationary observer scenario:

 When the source of sound waves is moving towards a

stationary listener, the frequency detected by the
listener is higher than the frequency of the source i.e.
the 𝒇𝑳 > 𝒇𝑺 .

 As each complete sound wave is emitted, the distance

has decreased between the source and observer. As a
result the waves arrive at the observer more
frequently. Each successive wave is emitted from a
position closer to the observer than the previous
wave.
 The waves get "compressed", leading to a higher
frequency and shorter wavelength

 For sound waves, a higher frequency is perceived as a

higher pitch hence the pitch also increases.
Source moves away from stationary observer

• When the source of sound waves is moving away from

a stationary listener, the frequency detected by the
listener is lower than the frequency of the source i.e.
𝒇𝑳 < 𝒇𝑺 . .

• As each complete sound wave is emitted, the distance

has increased between the source and observer. As a
result the waves arrive at the observer less frequently.

• The waves get "stretched", resulting in a lower

frequency (longer wavelength), i.e. the wavelength
increase

• For sound waves a lower frequency sounds like a lower

pitch. The pitch will decrease.
Listener is moving towards a stationary source

 The frequency detected by the listener is higher than the frequency of the source
i.e. 𝑓𝐿 > 𝑓𝑆

 The wavelength becomes shorter, because more wave-fronts are detected per
second.
Listener is moving away from a stationary source

o When the listener is moving away from a stationary source, the

frequency detected by the listener is lower than the frequency of the
source i.e. 𝒇𝑳 < 𝒇𝑺 .

o The wavelength becomes longer because less wave-fronts are detected

per second
The SOURCE and LISTENER are STATIONARY

 When both the source of a sound and the listener are

stationary, the listener will hear the same frequency as the
source emits i.e. 𝒇𝑺 = 𝒇𝑳

 This is because there's no relative motion between the

source and the listener, meaning the sound waves travel at
their normal speed and are not compressed or stretched i.e.
the wavelength of the sound waves remains the same in all
directions
Equation for the Doppler Effect
 While there is only one Doppler effect equation, the
equation changes in different situations depending on the
The Doppler effect equation is used to calculate both
velocities of the observer or the source of the sound.
the velocity of the source and observer, the original
frequency of the sound waves and the observed
 The table below summaries the different situations.
frequency of the sound waves.
The equations is as follows:

v ± vL Source moves towards vS : negative vL : zero

fL = f listener
v ± vS S
Where: Source moves away from vS : positive vL : zero
 fL is the frequency perceived by the listener in listener
Hertz (Hz) Listener moves towards vL : positive vS : zero
 fS is the frequency of the source in Hertz (Hz) source
 v is the speed of the waves in the specific Listener moves away vL : negative vS : zero
medium of sound progation in ms−1 from source
 vL is the speed of the listener in ms −1
 vS is the speed of the source in ms−1
Applications of the Doppler Effect  In medicine through ultrasound the Doppler Effect is used
to measure the direction and speed of blood flow in
Applications of the Doppler Effect are apparent in everyday arteries and veins.
life. The Doppler Effect is used:
 The Doppler effect is used in fetal monitors to detect and
 In speed traps to measure the velocity of detected measure the foetal heartbeat (measures the hearbeat of a
vehicles by traffic officers. foetus) by utilizing the change in sound frequency as the
heart moves.
Red and Blue Shifts  The diagram below shows a visible light spectrum showing
the different colours and their corresponding wavelengths.
 Light waves from a moving source experience the
Doppler effect.  Blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light

 Longer wavelengths of light have lower frequencies

and shorter wavelengths have higher frequencies.

 From the Doppler effect, when an source moves

towards an observer, any waves they emit are shifted
to shorter wavelengths (blueshifted).

 If the source moves away from the observer, the shift

is to longer wavelengths (redshifted).
Doppler Effect in Astronomy

 Red and blue shifts describe how light shifts toward shorter
or longer wavelengths as objects in space (such as stars or
galaxies) move closer or farther away from planet Earth.

 In astronomy, these shifts prove helpful. Most stars or

galaxies show light that experiences a redshift .These stars
or galaxies are moving away from the Earth.

 This has led many scientists to assume that the universe is

expanding.
PAST EXAM
PAPERS
2009 November Paper 1 Q 7

A fire truck, with its siren on, is moving at 20 ms−1 towards a

burning building. A person standing next to the road with a
detector, measures the frequency of the sound emitted by the
siren to be 450 Hz. The measured frequency is HIGHER than the
frequency of the sound emitted by the siren.

7.1 Is the fire truck moving toward or away from

the person? (1)

7.2 Explain why the registered frequency is higher. (2)

7.3 Calculate the frequency of the siren if the speed

of sound in air is 340 ms−1 . (4)
2020 November Paper 1 Q 6 6.4 The detector started recording the frequency of the
moving train's siren when the train was 350 m away.
The siren of a train, moving at a constant speed along a Calculate time t1 indicated on the graph above. (2)
straight horizontal track, emits sound with a constant
frequency. A detector, placed next to the track, records
the frequency of the sound waves. The results
obtained are as shown in the graph below.

6.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)

6.2 Does the detector record the frequency of
3 148 Hz when the train moves TOWARDS the
detector or AWAY from the detector? (1)
6.3 Calculate the speed of the train. Take the speed
of sound in air as 340 ms −1 . (6)
2024 Senior Certificate Paper 1 Q 6

A stationary listener records the frequency of the sound

emitted by the siren of a police car. When the car which is
travelling at a constant velocity of 26 ms−1 , approaches the
listener, the recorded frequency is 615 Hz. The car passes the
listener at time t1 and then moves away from the listener. The
recorded frequency now is 526 Hz.
Ignore the effects of wind.

6.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)

6.2 Use the information given to calculate the

speed of sound in air. (5)

6.3 Calculate the wavelength of the sound emitted

by the police siren. (4)

6.4 Sketch the graph of recorded frequency versus

time for the motion of the car as it moved towards
the listener, passed the listener and then moved
away from the listener. Label time t1 on the graph.
No values need to be indicated on the frequency axis. (3)
THE DOPPLER
EFFECT PART 2
2023 Gauteng Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6 6.4 The hydrogen spectral line from the Sun has a wavelength
of 656nm. If the spectral line from a nearby star has a
In the diagrams, A, B and C below, the wave patterns are wavelength of 657nm, what can we conclude about the
shown for the sound of a siren from an ambulance and a motion of this start in relation to the Sun? Explain this
stationary observer. The observer remains stationary in each observation in terms of the Doppler Effect (3)
case

6.1 Define the term Doppler Effect (2)

6.2 For QUESTIONS 6.2.1 and 6.2.2, state either
A, B or C for which:
6.2.1 The sound source is stationary (1)
6.2.2 The sound source is moving away from the
Observer (1)
6.2.3 Give a reason for the answer in
QUESTIONS 6.2.2 (1)
6.3 If the ambulance is moving away from the observer
at a speed of 25 ms−1 and the frequency of its siren as
heard by the driver is 900HZ, calculate the frequency
observed by the observer. Take the speed of sound in air
as 340 ms−1 (5)
2019 Northern Cape Paper 1 Q 6

A whistle of a locomotive, moving at a constant speed, emits a

sound wave of 2 000 Hz. A man that stands on the side of the
railroad hears a sound of frequency 1 836,0 Hz when the
locomotive moves away from him. A girl that stands on the side
of the railroad detects a sound of frequency 2 196,2 Hz when
the locomotive approaches her. Use the speed of sound in air
as 340 ms −1 .

6.1 State the Doppler Effect in words. (2)

6.2 Explain why the girl detects a sound of higher

frequency as the locomotive approaches her. (3)

6.3 Will the frequency detected by the driver of the

locomotive be GREATER THAN, EQUAL TO or
SMALLER THAN 2 000 Hz? Give a reason for the answer. (2)

6.4 Calculate the speed of the locomotive. (5)

6.5 Write down ONE application of Doppler Effect in

medicine. (1)
2015 November Paper 1 Q 6 6.1.4 Use the information in the table to calculate the speed of
The data below was obtained during an investigation into the sound during the investigation. (5)
relationship between the different velocities of a moving 6.2 The spectral lines of a distant star are shifted towards the
sound source and the frequencies detected by a stationary longer wavelengths of light. Is the star moving TOWARDS
listener for each velocity. The effect of wind was ignored in or AWAY FROM the Earth? (1)
this investigation.
Experiment 1 2 3 4
number

Velocity of the 0 10 20 30
sound source (ms-1)

Frequency (Hz) of 900 874 850 827

the sound detected
by the stationary
listener

6.1.1 Write down the dependent variable for this

investigation. (1)
6.1.2 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)
6.1.3 Was the sound source moving TOWARDS
or AWAY FROM the listener? Give a reason for the
answer. (2)
2021 Eastern Cape Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6 6.2 The spectral lines from a distant star are observed to be
red shifted. Explain the underlined term. (2)
6.1 A stationary sound detector placed at a certain point
records 520 sound waves per second from a moving sound 6.3 Write down ONE application of the Doppler effect in the
source which emits sound waves of frequency 480 Hz. field of medicine. (1)
6.1.1 Write down the frequency of the sound waves
that the detector records in Hz. (1)

6.1.2 Define the phenomenon which explains the change in

frequency observed. (2)

6.1.3 Is the sound source moving TOWARDS or AWAY from the

observer? Give a reason for your answer. (2)

6.1.4 Calculate the velocity at which the sound source is

moving. Take velocity of sound as 343 ms−1 (5)

6.1.5 How would the wavelength of the sound wave produced

by the sound source change if the frequency of the sound
waves become higher than 480 Hz? Write down only
INCREASES, DECREASES or STAYS THE SAME. Explain your
answer using the wave equation. (2)
2014 November Paper 1 Q 6 Is the star moving towards or away from the Earth? Explain
the answer by referring to the shifts in the spectral lines in
6.1 The siren of a stationary ambulance emits a note o the two diagrams above (2)
frequency 1 130 Hz. When the ambulance moves at a constant
speed, a stationary observer detects a frequency that is 70 Hz
higher than that emitted by the siren.
6.1.1 State the Doppler Effect in words. (2)
6.1.2 Is the ambulance moving towards or away from the
observer? Give a reason for the answer. (2)
6.1.3 Calculate the speed at which the ambulance is travelling.
Take the speed of sound in air as 343 ms −1 (5)
6.2 A study of spectral lines obtained from various stars can
provide valuable information about the movement of the stars.
The two diagrams below represent different spectral lines of an
element. Diagram 1 represents the spectrum of the element in
a laboratory on Earth. Diagram 2 represents the spectrum of
the same element from a distant star.
2008 November Paper 1 Q 8

An ambulance travelling down a road at constant speed emits

sound waves from its siren. A lady stands on the side of the
road with a detector which registers sound waves at a
frequency of 445 Hz as the ambulance approaches her. After
passing her, and moving away at the same constant speed,
sound waves of frequency 380 Hz are registered. Assume that
the speed of sound in air is 343 ms −1 .

8.1 Name the phenomenon that describes the change in the

frequency observed by the lady. (1)
8.2 Calculate:
8.2.1 The speed at which the ambulance is moving (7)
8.2.2 The frequency at which the siren emits the sound waves
(3)
2023 Eastern Cape Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6

A police van with its siren on, travels at a constant speed

between two observers, A and B. Observer A detects sound
with a frequency of 545 Hz from the siren, while observer B
detects a frequency of 615 Hz.

6.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)

6.2 In which direction is the police van moving?

Choose from TOWARDS OBSERVER A or TOWARDS
OBSERVER B. Give a reason for your answer. (2)

6.3 The speed of sound in air is 343 ms −1 . Calculate the

frequency of the siren. (7)

6.4 Spectral lines of a certain gas observed from a distant star

appear to be red shifted. Explain this observation by referring
to the MOTION OF THE STAR and the FREQUENCY of the
spectral lines. (2)
2013 March Paper 1 Q 6 6.2.2 Distance 𝑥 between the car and the ambulance when the
The siren of a stationary ambulance emits sound waves at observer BEGINS measuring the frequency. (3)
a frequency of 850 Hz. An observer, travelling in a car at a
constant speed in a straight line, begins measuring the
frequency of the sound waves emitted by the siren when
he is at a distance 𝑥 from the ambulance. The observer
continues measuring the frequency as he approaches,
passes and moves away from the ambulance.
The results obtained are shown in the graph below.

6.1 The observed frequency suddenly changes at t = 6 s.

Give a reason for this sudden change in observed frequency. (1)
6.2 Calculate:
6.2.1 Speed of the car (Take the speed of sound in air as
(340 ms −1 ) (5)
2015 Limpopo Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6.1

Humpback whales and bottlenose dolphins emit sound

waves that range from 0,2 to 150 kHz as they travel through
water. A scientist immerses a frequency meter under water
to determine the frequency of the sound that a dolphin
emits. The scientist finds that the frequency meter registers
a frequency of 50 kHz as the dolphin approaches him at a
constant speed and 49 kHz as it moves away from him at
the same constant speed.

6.1.1 State the Doppler Effect in words. (2)

6.1.2 If the speed of sound in water is 1 560 ms−1 ,

calculate the actual frequency of the sound made by the
dolphin. (8)
6.1.3 Hence, determine the speed at which the dolphin is
moving. (2)
2022 Senior Certificate Paper 1 Q 6 On the same set of axes, sketch the graph of the frequency
recorded by detector B. Label this graph as B. (2)
A car moves at a constant speed of 10 ms−1 TOWARDS a
.
stationary sound source. The sound source emits sound
waves of frequency 880 Hz. A sound detector A is attached
to the car and another sound detector B is attached to the
sound source. Detector B detects the sound waves
reflected from the car. The speed of sound in air is
340 ms −1

6.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)

6.2 Calculate the wavelength of the sound waves
emitted by the source. (3)
6.3 Calculate the frequency of the sound waves
detected by detector A. (4)
The sketch graph below shows the frequency recorded
by detector A.
6.4 Redraw the graph above for detector A in your
ANSWER BOOK.
2021 North West Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6 6.1 State the Doppler effect in words. (2)
6.2 Calculate the speed of the car. Take the speed of sound in
The siren of a stationary ambulance emits sound waves air as 340 ms −1 (5)
at a frequency of 850 Hz. An observer who is travelling 6.3 Determine the distance X between the car and the
in a car at a constant speed in a straight line, begins ambulance when the observer BEGINS measuring the
measuring the frequency of the sound waves emitted by frequency. (3)
the siren when he is at a distance X from the ambulance
at time, t = 0

The observer continues measuring the frequency as he

APPROACHES, PASSES, AND MOVES AWAY from the
ambulance. The measured frequencies are plotted against
time as shown below:
2015 Metro South Preliminary Paper 1 Q 6 6.4.1 moves towards the observer,
6.4.2 moves away from the observer,
The diagram shows a moving source of sound wave in air. It 6.4.3 slows down and stops. (3)
illustrates the Doppler Effect, a phenomenon named after the
German scientist, Christian Doppler.

6.1 Explain in words, what is meant by the Doppler Effect. (2)

6.2 In which direction is the source moving, to the left or to the
right? (1)
6.3 What happens to the observed frequency of the waves as
the source is moving? (1)
6.4 The sound source is moving towards a stationary observer.
Answer the following question by stating whether the pitch
INCREASES, DECREASES or REAMINS THE SAME. What will the
observer hear as the sound source…
CONTINUED…………

6.5 A submarine is lying motionless under water in the sea. It

detects a sound coming from a moving ship. The frequency
detected is 1,003 times greater than the actual frequency of
the sound emitted by the ship. The speed of sound in salt
water is 1 470 ms−1 . Ignore the effects of any friction.

Calculate the velocity of the ship. (4)

2015 Gauteng Preliminary Paper 1 Q 7

While standing near a railroad crossing, a girl hears a train horn

in the distance. The horn emits a sound of frequency 430 Hz.
The speed of sound in air is taken as 335 ms −1 .

7.1 State the Doppler effect. (2)

7.2 The train is moving with a constant velocity of 25 ms−1 is

a straight line towards the girl who is standing still at the
crossing. Calculate the wavelength of the sound
observed by the girl while the train is approaching her. (6)

7.3 Will the frequency of the sound observed by the train

driver be HIGHER, LOWER, or THE SAME as that emitted
by the horn of the train. Give reasons for the answer. (3)