IB Physics SL C.5.1 Doppler effect Question Bank

Practise IB Physics SL/HL C.5.1 by applying doppler effect concepts to exam-style physics questions.

Exam points

identify the relevant physical quantity, model or diagram
apply the correct equation and units to the evidence
justify the result using conservation laws, fields or energy relationships

[Maximum number: 2]

This question is about the Doppler effect.

Georgia carries out an experiment to measure the speed of mosquitoes. She sets up a microphone to record the sounds of passing mosquitoes.

Figure for Question C.5.1—Doppler effect question 1 — IB Physics SL

One mosquito is moving in a straight line with constant speed and passes very close to the microphone as seen in the diagram. The mosquito produces a sound of constant frequency. The speed of sound in air is $340 \mathrm{~m} \mathrm{~s}^{-1}$ .

The maximum frequency recorded is 751 Hz and the minimum frequency recorded is 749 Hz . Explain this observation.

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C.5.1—Doppler effect question 1