IB Physics SL C.5.2 Doppler wavefront diagrams Question Bank
Practise IB Physics SL/HL C.5.2 by applying doppler wavefront diagrams concepts to exam-style physics questions.
- Syllabus
- First assessment 2025
- Course
- Physics SL
- Level
- SL
Practise IB Physics SL/HL C.5.2 by applying doppler wavefront diagrams concepts to exam-style physics questions.
This question is about the Doppler effect.
The diagram shows wavefronts in air produced by a stationary source S of sound.
The distance between successive wavefronts is equal to the wavelength of the sound.
The speed of sound is c.

On the diagram, sketch three successive waveforts produced when S is moving to the left at a speed of 0.5 c.
3 circular wavefronts;
2 centres/sources of wavefronts move left (by one box);

Drawn circular wavefronts may be larger as in diagram here, or could be equal sized. Both are acceptable.