International Baccalaureate:

Physics Internal Assessment

Topic: Doppler Effect

How does the velocity of an outgoing sound source affect the frequency observed by a
stationary observer?
Index:

1. Introduction ……………………………………………………………………..
2. Research Question ………………………………………………………………
3. Background information……………………………….......................................
a. The Wave Equation………………………………...................................
b. The Doppler Effect………………………………....................................
c. Deriving the Doppler Equation………………........................................
4. Hypothesis………….........................………….........................………….............
a. Calculation of Expected results………….........................…………........
5. Identification of Variables………….........................…………............................
6. Preparation and Design………….........................…………................................
a. Materials and Apparatus.………….........................…………................
b. Preparation of Moving Sound Source……..............................................
c. Setup of Experiment…….………….........................…………................
7. Procedure………….........................………….........................…………..............
8. Data Collection and Data Processing………….........................…………..........
9. Data analysis ………….........................………….........................…………........
a. Quantitative Data Analysis………..............………..............………........
b. Qualitative Data Analysis………..............………..............………..........
10. Error Propagation………….........................………….........................................
a. Uncertainty Calculation....................…………...........................………..
b. Sources of Error....................…………..........................…………............
11. Conclusion………….........................………….........................………….............
12. Evaluation………….........................………….........................………….............
 How does the velocity of an outgoing sound source affect the frequency observed by a
stationary observer?

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Being an avid footballer, I play in matches quite often. There was this one instant where I ran
past the referee as he blew his whistle, and I realised that the whistle sounded different at
various instances. I then decided to run past him a few more times and realised that the sound
changed as I ran past him.

I then learnt about the Doppler effect in my Physics class and learnt of how the frequency of
sound observed changes when there is a moving source or a moving observer. Therefore I
decided to investigate further in this matter, and wanted to try it out for myself.
Based on theory the Doppler effect is basically how movement of a source of sound can alter
the received wavelength and frequency by a stationary observer, or vice versa when a moving
observer interprets a different frequency or wavelength relative to a stationary source.

To explore Doppler Effect, I will be focusing on the speed of a moving sound source moving
away from a stationary observer, and how it affects the frequency detected by the observer

2.0 RESEARCH QUESTION:

How does the velocity of an outgoing sound source affect the frequency observed by a
stationary observer?

3.0 BACKGROUND INFORMATION

3.1 The Wave equation
In this investigation of the Doppler Effect, we know that sound moves through vibration of
particles as its energy is transferred through a medium. Hence while studying Doppler effect,
we will be considering sound in the medium of air. The speed of sound in air mostly depends
on the conditions of the air, such as its temperature and pressure. At normal temperature we
can assume the speed of sound in dry air to be 343m/s. We can also use this information to
derive the frequency of sound in air.

So the velocity of any object in motion is depicted by the following equation:

d
(1). v=
t
Where d will be the distance travelled by the wave and t will be the time taken for one wave
to form
The distance (d) can be used with respective to waves to depict the wavelength, by doing so
we can calculate the speed of a wave
λ
(2) v=
T
Where 𝜆 is the wavelength and T is the time period.
It is also known that the frequency of any wave is the number of waves that pass through a
single point in a single second. Hence giving frequency as:
1
(3) f=
T
By substituting equation (3) into equation (2) we can get the formula:

(4) v=f 𝜆

From this we can deduce that at a constant velocity, as the frequency increases the
wavelength will decrease.

3.2 The Doppler Effect

However the wave equation (4) applies to waves that come from a stationary source. What
happens when the source of the wave is in motion. This phenomenon results in a surprising
effect known as Doppler’s effect of sound, where the frequency observed by a stationary
observer can change according to the velocity of the incoming or outgoing source of sound.
The observer, receives a lower frequency when a source moves towards the observer. while
receiving a higher frequency when the source moves away from the observer. The frequency
observed is also known as apparent frequency.

This can be represented using wave fronts from a source of sound:

Fig 1- Stationary Source and stationary observer:

Goat Observer
Stationary Source

Fig 2- Stationary observer with source moving away from observer:

Goat Observer

Moving Source
3.3 Deriving the Doppler Equation:

From the diagrammatic representations above we have a rough understanding on the effects
of velocity(Direction of movement) on the frequency and wavelength received by the
stationary observer.

In figure 1 the concentric circles can be seen representing crests of the sound waves,
surrounded symmetrically around the source. The wavefronts have an equal distance between
them which is the wavelength () and the frequency of the wavefronts observed is  (f ). The
time period of this wave is (T).
The velocity of the sound emitted by the source can be calculated using equation (4)
                                                   v sound = f sound   sound

In figure 2 the source is moving away from the observer, with a speed, 𝑣 source and distance
it travels in the time period of the wave, T sound, is:

(5) source = 𝑣 source × 𝑇 sound

Figure 2 shows that since the source is moving away from the observer, the wavefronts
group together in the direction in which the source is moving towards and the wavefronts
between the source and the observer are more spaced apart.

The distance of the observer from the radially outward source and the observer using the
speed of the wave 𝑣 sound and its period 𝑇 sound is calculated by:

(6) sound = 𝑣 sound × 𝑇 sound

By using (6)and (7) the total distance between the moving source and the observer can be
calculated.

(7) D = (𝑣 source × 𝑇 sound) + ( 𝑣 sound × 𝑇 sound)

= 𝑇 sound (𝑣 source + 𝑣 sound)

The Difference in period can then be calculated by manipulating (1) to find the time, as:

d
(8) t=
v

Where. d = 𝑇 sound (𝑣 source + 𝑣 sound) and 𝑣= 𝑣 source

Therefore giving difference in Period as:

T sound (v source+ v sound )

(9) 𝑇 shift ¿
v source
 1
From (3) we know that T = and hence we can find the frequency as:
f

1 v source
(10) F observed ¿
T sound v source+ v sound

v source
= f sound ( )
v source+ v sound

Through the above equations it becomes clear that the velocity of the moving source
increases, the frequency observed by the observer f increases, considering that f sound and 𝑣
sound of the source remains constant. In this investigation, different velocities of a moving
sound source will be used to vary the frequency observed and the frequency shift (Δf) will be
determined.

Frequency shift (Δf) = F sound - F observed

In order to conduct the experiment, a Vernier microphone is used to record peak frequencies
and plot it on Logger pro, and this is the most effective way for this experiment because
Vernier microphones have a high precision in observing frequency, and it can easily measure
the peak frequency, dismissing unwanted noises.

4.0 HYPOTHESIS :

From the above equation it becomes clear that as Vsource increases as the source moves away
from the observer, the frequency of the sound observed by the stationary observer decreases.
Thus hence the frequency shift can be calculated for the varying velocity. In this experiment
the height at which the buzzer (sound source) is released is varied, this will in turn increase
the steepness of the slope which results in an increase in the average velocity of the moving
source. It is hypothesised that as the velocity of the moving source (buzzer) increases the
frequency observed will decrease as the waves move further apart.

Due to this the frequency shift should have a linear increase as conveyed in the equation.
4.1 Expected Results:

From the equation above we can calculate the expected value of the observed frequency. The
frequency of the buzzer when stationary is measured to be 3006.59 Hz. The velocity of the
sound in air at rtp (room temperature and pressure) is approximated to be 344m/s.

The velocity is varied by using slope of varying steepness and the velocity can be calculates
Distance
as such: Velocity= . The distance is kept constant throughout the investigation at
Time
1metre. While the time taken for the moving source to cover that distance is measured using a
stopwatch. To avoid human error, the time is recorded 3 times and the average time is taken

For the data set where the cart (source/buzzer) is released at a height of 5cm the average time
taken for it to move down the ramp was calculated as 2.19s. The Velocity of the cart will be
1m −1
=0.44 m s
2.19 s

v source
Now the observed frequency can be calculated by Equation 10 { f sound ( )}
v source+ v sound
. So f /=¿ 3006.59 ( 0.44+344
344
)=3002.75 Hz
Height Time Time Time Average Velocity Expected
cart travelled travelled travelled Time Observed
released Trial 1 Trial 2 Trial 2 Frequency(Hz)
from
5 2.22 s 2.09 s 2.25 s 2.19 s 0.44 ms-1 3002.75
10 1.71 s 1.42 s 1.47 s 1.53 s 0.68 ms-1 3000.66
15 1.25 s 1.22 s 1.38 s 1.28 s 0.72 ms-1 3000.31
20 1.18 s 1.11 s 1.17 s 1.15 s 0.85 ms-1 2999.17
25 0.97 s 0.89 s 0.89 s 0.92 s 1.12 ms-1 2996.83
30 0.84 s 0.88 s 0.86 s 0.86 s 1.16 ms-1 2996.48
35 0.65 s 0.74 s 0.72 s 0.70 s 1.39 ms-1 2994.49
40 0.63 s 0.69 s 0.65 s 0.66 s 1.54 ms-1 2993.19
45 0.44 s 0.50 s 0.46 s 0.47 s 2.17 ms-1 2987.74
50 0.38 s 0.36 s 0.41 s 0.38 s 2.44 ms-1 2985.41
5.0 IDENTIFICATION OF VARIABLES:

- Independent Variable: The height at which the cart is released in cm is varied so as

to increase the average velocity of the moving sound source.
- Dependent Variable: The frequency observed by the stationary observer as the
source moves away from it. Measured using a Vernier microphone.
- Controlled Variable: These are the variables that may affect the readings of the
dependent variable and hence were controlled to allow for fairness while conducting
the experiments, they include:
o The frequency of the source (Hz): The same buzzer was used throughout the
experiment so the frequency shift is not affected and to maintain fairness
throughout the experiment.
o Distance travelled by cart (m): The same track of distance 1m is used
throughout the experiment this is to ensure that the average velocity of the
moving source is measured as accurately as possible.
o Type of track used: The same track was used throughout the experiment so as
to make sure that factors like friction do not affect the velocity of the cart
throughout the experiment.
o Mass of the Buzzer: The mass of the Buzzer is kept the same so as ensure that
the velocity of the source can be calculated to be as accurate as possible.

6.0 PREPARATION AND DESIGN :

6.1 Materials and Apparatus:

- Buzzer (DC  9 V)
- Alkaline Battery, AA, 1.5V  2
- Battery Holder
- Pastrack cart
- Vernier Microphone
- Insulative Tape
- Scissors
- Datalogger
- Crocodile Clips
- Metre Rule
- 1m track
- Retort stand
- Retort Clamp

6.2 Preparation of Moving Sound Source:

 1) A suitable buzzer was selected that could be attached to the cart, then the buzzer was
connected to a battery holder which held 2, AA 1.5 Batteries.
2) The Buzzer along with the battery holder was then placed on the cart such that the
buzzer was placed above the Battery holder.
3) Then the battery holder and the buzzer are kept in place using Insulative tape.
4) The insulative tape was placed such that the speaker of the buzzer/ sound source was
unaffected and faced the microphone
5) The buzzer along with the battery holder was taped such that they did not come loose
when the cart was in motion.

6.3 Experimental Setup:

1) A Pastrack set up was used and the track used was 1m long.
2) The track was first made to be level with the ground so that there is no error in the
movement of the cart. This was done using a spirit level. The stands at the bottom of
the track were adjusted to make sure it was level.
3) Then the distance between the track and the ground was measured as x
4) Then a retort clamp was attached to a retort stand such that it was x+5 above the
ground. Then for the next reading x+10 so on until x+n
5) The Vernier microphone is taped to the retort clamp so that the microphone sensor is
exactly at the edge of the track allowing to record the frequency of the sound
optimally

n
x
x
 Data logger/ Stopwatch Cart with
Microphone Track
Computer Buzzer
Retort Stand

7.0 PROCEDURE:
1) The cart is first placed at the centre of the track while the track is level on the ground.
Then the frequency of the buzzer is measured using the microphone. This value is
used as the f sound and in this investigation is found to be 3006.59.
2) Then the track is placed on the retort stand such that edge of the track is x+5 cm from
the ground.
3) The cart is then released from the edge of the track and the frequency of the buzzer as
the car travels the distance of the track is measured. This is measured by the Vernier
microphone that is attached at the edge of the track.
4) Along with the frequency the time taken for the cart to travel the distance along the
track was also measured using a stop watch.
5) The time taken was measured and recorded so that the velocity of the cart can be
determined
6) Steps 1 through 5 are repeated three times, so that the measurements of time and
frequency will have minimised human error and the readings are more accurate
7) Steps 1 through 6 are repeated for the track being placed at heights x+10cm, x+ 15cm,
x+ 20cm, x+ 25cm, x+ 30cm, x+ 35cm, x+ 40cm, x+ 45cm and x+ 50cm.

8.0 DATA COLLECTION AND DATA PROCESSING :

8.1 Raw Data:

Height Released: 5cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 2.22 2.09 2.25 2.19
Frequency 3002.93 3001.99 3000.49 3001.8
Observed (Hz)
 Height Released: 10cm
Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 1.71 1.42 1.47 1.53
Frequency 2988.28 2993.16 2995.61 2992.35
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 15cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 1.25 1.22 1.38 1.28
Frequency 2987.37 2988.05 2993.18 2989.53
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 20cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 1.18 1.11 1.17 1.15
Frequency 2987.12 2985.84 2985.85 2986.27
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 25cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.97 0.89 0.89 0.92
Frequency 2968.28 2968.31 2929.62 2955.40
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 30cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.84 0.88 0.86 0.86
Frequency 2919.92 2929.53 2927.97 2925.81
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 35cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.65 0.74 0.72 0.70
Frequency 2910.16 2808.32 2910.16 2876.21
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 40cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.63 0.69 0.65 0.66
Frequency 2714.84 2705.63 2695.31 2726.05
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 45cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.44 0.50 0.46 0.47
 Frequency 2507.32 2509.47 2601.13 2539.31
Observed (Hz)

Height Released: 50cm

Trial 1 2 3 Average
Time (s) 0.38 0.36 0.41 0.38
Frequency 2498.73 2501.12 2700.21 2566.69
Observed (Hz)

Therefore when the average frequency is taken and compared to the height as well as the
velocity at which the cart is released
Height at which it is Velocity of the cart (m s-1) Average Frequency
released (m) observed (Hz)
5 0.44 ms -1
3001.80
10 0.68 ms -1
2992.35
15 0.72 ms-1 2989.53
20 0.85 ms -1
2986.27
25 1.12 ms-1 2955.40
30 1.16 ms -1
2925.81
35 1.39 ms -1
2876.21
40 1.54 ms-1 2726.05
45 2.17 ms -1
2539.31
50 2.44 ms-1 2566.69

8.2 Data Processing:

When the expected values and the measured values are plotted on a chart:
 Frequency Observed (Hz) Velocity - Frequency Chart
500
400
300
200
100
0
0.44 0.68 0.72 0.85 1.12 1.16 1.39 1.54 2.17 2.44
Velocity of the cart (m s-1)

Average Frequency observed (Hz) Series2

From the data collected the frequency shift can be calculated as such:

Frequency shift (Δf) = F buzzer - F observed =3006.59 Hz – F observed

For example, given the data for when the cart is dropped from a height of 5cm, the average
measured frequency is 3001.80Hz frequency shift is calculated using the equation:
Frequency shift (Δf) = F buzzer - F observed
=3006.59 Hz – F observed
=3006.59 Hz – 3001.80Hz
=4.79Hz
Average Velocity ms-1 Frequency Shift (Hz)
0.44 ms-1 4.79 Hz
0.68 ms-1 14.24 Hz
0.72 ms-1 17.06 Hz
0.85 ms-1 20.32 Hz
1.12 ms-1 51.19 Hz
1.16 ms-1 80.78 Hz
1.39 ms-1 130.38 Hz
1.54 ms-1 280.54 Hz
2.17 ms-1 467.28 Hz
2.44 ms-1 439.9 Hz

Velocity - Frequency Shift Chart

500
Frequency shift (Hz)

400
300
200
100
0
0.44 0.68 0.72 0.85 1.12 1.16 1.39 1.54 2.17 2.44
Velocity of the cart (m s-1)

Average Frequency observed (Hz) Series2

9.0 DATA ANALYSIS
9.1 Quantitative Data Analysis:
The measured values of frequency are consistent for the first three values of the expected
values after which the values do not match. However both the sets of data have a similar
trend as they both have negative correlation. From the chart it can be observed that the
frequency values that were measured are well below the expected values. This can be due to
errors in measurement due to systematic and random errors.

From the chart above by analysing the increasing frequency shift, we can deduce that the
hypothesis holds true. The frequency shift does increase as the velocity of the cart increases

9.2 Qualitative Data Analysis:

The only qualitative data analysis in this experiment that was observed was the pitch of the
buzzer as the cart moved along the track. As the velocity of the cart increased the sound of
the buzzer appeared more high pitched. However in some cases the pitch remained the same
even though the velocity of the cart increased. This observation was made during the course
of the investigation.

10.0 ERROR PROPAGATION:

The data trends matched the hypothesis and despite which the data measured is not consistent
with the expected values of the observed frequency. This inconsistency in data means there is
definitely scope for error in the investigation.
During measurements, apparatus contribute to the uncertainty. For example the Vernier
microphone has an uncertainty of  0.01Hz , the stopwatch has an uncertainty of 0.01 s and
the metre rule used to measure the height has an uncertainty of  0.1 cm. These uncertainties
allow us to calculate the total percentage uncertainty in the investigation.
The percentage uncertainty of each apparatus can be calculated by the formula:
0.01
100
Apparatus Reading

10.1 Uncertainty Calculation:

For the data collected when the cart is released at 5cm height the uncertainty can be
calculated as follows:
0.01
- Percentage uncertainty in the height at which the cart is released = 100=0.2%
5

0.01
- Percentage Uncertainty in time taken for cart to travel= 100=0.4566 %
2.19

0.01
- Percentage Uncertainty in the observed frequency = 100=0.00033 %
3001.8

Total Percentage uncertainty = 0.2%+0.4566%+0.00033% =0.657%

Height at which cart Time taken for cart Frequency Observed Total Uncertainty on
was released (cm) to travel along track by Microphone (Hz) reading
(s)
5  0.20 2.19  0.456 3001.8  0.00033 3001.80  0.657
10  0.10 1.53  0.654 2992.35  0.00033 2992.35  0.754
15  0.07 1.28  0.781 2989.53  0.00033 2989.53  0.851
20  0.05 1.15  0.869 2986.27  0.00033 2986.27  0.919
25  0.04 0.92  1.087 2955.40  0.00034 2955.40  1.127
30  0.03 0.86  1.163 2925.81  0.00034 2925.81  1.193
35  0.03 0.70  1.429 2876.21 0.00035 2876.21  1.459
40  0.02 0.66  1.515 2726.05  0.00037 2726.05  1.535
45  0.02 0.47  2.128 2539.31 0.00039 2539.31  2.148
50  0.02 0.38  2.631 2566.69 0.00039 2566.69  2.651

10.2 Sources Of Error:

1. Sound between cart and track: The sound caused by the friction between the
wheels of the cart and the track could affect the readings of the frequency This
external sound source can get recorded by the microphone which could explain the
disparity in the expected values and the measured values of frequency.
2. Internal Resistance of Buzzer: The buzzer was continuously used in the experiment
and this could affect the sound emitted by the buzzer as it could heat up as the buzzer
is being used. This thus affects the frequency of sounds emitted by the buzzer and
therefore the frequency measured.
3. Accuracy of Microphone: The microphone can measure frequencies up to 0.01V.
This would affect the precision with which the frequency is measured.. A frequency
meter could have been more appropriate for taking measurements.
4. External Noise: When the experiment was being carried out there were slight
background noises that could have been picked up by the microphone, thus affecting
the peak frequency recorded.
5. Velocity of the cart: Due to insufficient equipment in the lab there was no way to
increase the velocity linearly, and the velocity was not constant, thus the average
velocity had to be taken, resulting in low precision while conducting the experiment

11.0 CONCLUSION:
12.0 EVALUATION: