Asked in MDCAT Test Series 5 — Waves and Thermodynamics (7 March 2025) 2025Moderate

A train is approaching a station at 90 km/h sounding a whistle of frequency 1000 Hz. What will be the apparent frequency heard by the listener sitting on the platform if the train moves away from the station at the same speed? (speed of sound= 340 m/s)

Correct answer: A. 931.5 Hz

  • A. 931.5 Hz
  • B. 105.7 Hz
  • C. 135.9 Hz
  • D. 153.1 Hz
  • E. 164.9 Hz

Explanation

To determine the apparent frequency heard by the listener, we use the Doppler effect formula:f' = f * (v + v_o) / (v + v_s)Here, f is the original frequency (1000 Hz), v is the speed of sound (340 m/s), v_o is the speed of the observer (0 m/s, as the observer is stationary), and v_s is the speed of the source (converted to 25 m/s from 90 km/h).Applying these values: f' = 1000 * (340 / (340 + 25)) = 931.5 Hz.The other options result from incorrect application of the Doppler effect formula, either due to incorrect speed conversions or misunderstanding the direction of motion, leading to incorrect frequency values.

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About Speed of Sound

The speed of sound depends on the properties of the medium, including its elasticity and density, and in gases it varies mainly with temperature. Questions connect speed with frequency and wavelength, compare sound in solids, liquids and gases, and distinguish the speed of propagation from the oscillating particles' motion.

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