Doppler Effect: is the change in frequency of a sound due to motion

either of source or observer or both.

I- Source of the sound is moving and the observer is at rest

The case The observed frequency ( f  ) Notes

(1) The source moving toward
stationary observer. 𝒇
f = 𝒗
𝟏− 𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 f > 𝑓
𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅

(2) The source moving away

from stationary observer. 𝒇
f = 𝒗
𝟏+ 𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 f < 𝑓
𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅

Where: 𝒇: frequency of sound emitted by the source,

𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒓𝒄𝒆 : speed of the source,
𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅: speed of sound.
65
Lecture Notes Dr. Ashraf Diab
 II- Moving observer and fixed source of the sound

The case The observed frequency ( f  ) Notes

(1) An observer moving toward
stationary source.  v 
f   1  obsv  f f > 𝑓
 vsound 

(2) An observer moving away

from stationary source.  v 
f   1  obsv  f f < 𝑓
 vsound 

Where: 𝒇: frequency of sound emitted by the source,

𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒃𝒔𝒗 : speed of the observer,
𝒗𝒔𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅: speed of sound.

Notes:
1. If both observer and source are moving, you can apply the equation of
frequency shift twice. First, fixing the observer and consider moving of the
source, gives us f  . Second, fix the source and consider moving of the
observer and substitute f  as initial frequency in the equation of this
case, to get f  .
2. Doppler Effect occurs for electromagnetic waves like light, but frequency
shift for these waves is given by different equations. (Example: Radar)

66
Lecture Notes Dr. Ashraf Diab
 The Application Technique used The waves used The purpose of the
application
(1) Sonar Pulse-echo Ultrasonic waves 1- Depth finding, in
“Sound Navigation technique. in the range sea.
Ranging” (20kHz to 100 2- Earth soundings.
kHz).
(2) Ultrasound Pulse-echo Ultrasonic waves
Medical Imaging technique. in the range Medical Imaging.
(1MHz to
10MHz).

* Pulse-echo technique: is sending a sound pulse to any target, and then receive
its echo a short time later. (Analyzing reflected signal and its time, give us the
distance of target and some features of the target)

* Why above applications use ultrasonic waves?

1- They are inaudible.
2- Higher frequencies means lower wavelengths, this implies smaller objects can
be detected.

Example for ultrasound medical imaging:

67
Lecture Notes Dr. Ashraf Diab