B.Sc. Physics (H.R.

K): Waves and Oscillations Chapter # 20: Sound

Sound
20.1 Beats
The periodic alterations in the intensity of sound between minimum and maximum loudness are called beats.
The phenomenon of beats arises due to superposition of two sound waves of same amplitude but of
slightly different frequencies.
When two sound waves of same amplitude and having slightly different frequency superpose each
other, they produce a resultant wave whose amplitude varies with time i.e., the amplitude rises and falls
periodically. These periodic changes in amplitudes produces rises and falls in the intensity of sound which we
call beats.
Derivation:
Let us consider a point in space through which two sine waves are passing. Their frequencies are
slightly different. Due to superposition, we get resultant waveform. The resultant pressure at a given point is
equal to the sum of individual pressures as a function of time.
From the figure, we see that the amplitude of the resultant wave
is not constant but varies with time. In case of sound waves, this
variation in loudness called beats.
Let the variation in pressure with time produced by one wave at
a given point is given by:
( ) ( )
The variation in pressure produced by other wave of equal
amplitude at the same point is given by:
( ) ( )
For simplicity, we have taken
By the superposition principle, the resultant pressure is given by:
( ) ( )

( )

[ ( ) ( )]

( ) ( )

Putting and , we have:

( )

The equation ( ) represents the resultant wave having frequency and amplitude

( ) .

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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.K): Waves and Oscillations Chapter # 20: Sound
We find that the amplitude depends on time i.e., the amplitude varies between maximum value and
minimum value with frequency .

Since intensity is proportional to square of amplitude, so the intensity is maximum both when
amplitude is maximum or minimum. So intensity attains maximum value twice in one cycle.
So we conclude that number of beats is twice the number of cycles per second. Hence beats frequency
is twice the amplitude frequency i.e.,

( )

( )

It shows that the number of beats produced per second is equal to the difference of the frequencies of
the two waves.
20.2 The Doppler Effect
The apparent change in the pitch of sound due to relative motion between source and observer
is called Doppler Effect.
Consider a source of sound and an observer (listener). It is found that as the source approaches the
listener, the pitch of sound is found to be greater than the actual pitch of sound. Similarly if the source moves
away from the listener, the pitch is found to decrease. The same happens when source remains at rest and the
observer moves towards or away from the source.
This apparent change in the pitch of sound due to motion of source, observer or both is called Doppler Effect.
Let be the actual frequency of source i.e., it emits waves in one second at rest. Let be the speed
of sound of sound waves i.e., is the distance which the sound waves cover in one second. If both the source
and observer are stationary, then the frequency of sound waves is described as:

where is the wavelength of sound waves emitted by source at

rest.
We want to find out the expression of apparent change in
the frequency of sound due to the relative motion between source
and observer.
Case 1. When the Source moves towards the Stationary
Observer
If the source is moving away towards the observer A with
speed , then the waves are compressed per second by an amount

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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.K): Waves and Oscillations Chapter # 20: Sound
, known as Doppler Shift:

The compression of waves is due to the fact that same numbers of waves are contained in a shorter space
depending upon the velocity of source. The wavelength for observer C is:

The modified frequency for observer C is:

( )

( ) ()

Since , therefore

Result: The apparent frequency of the sound increases, when the source moves towards the stationary
observer.
Case 2. When the Source moves away from the Stationary Observer
If the source is moving away towards the observer B with speed , the wavelength of increases by an
amount , known as Doppler Shift:

The expansion of wavelength is due to the fact that

same number of waves are contained in a larger space
depending upon the velocity of source.
The wavelength for observer D is:

The modified frequency for observer D is:

( ) ( )
( )

Since , therefore

Result: The apparent frequency of the sound decrease, when the source moves away from the stationary
observer.

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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.K): Waves and Oscillations Chapter # 20: Sound
Generalization of Case-1 and Case-2
Equation ( ) and ( ) are combined into a single relation as:

( ) ( )

where sign holds for motion towards the observer and the sign holds for motion away from the
observer.
It should be noted that apparent change in pitch is due to increase or decrease of wavelength due to motion of
source.
Case 3. When the observer moves towards the Stationary Source
If the observer C moves towards the stationary source
with velocity , then the relative velocity of the waves and
the observer is increased to ( ). Then the frequency of
sound received by the observer C is:

( )

( ) ( )

Since , therefore

Result: The apparent frequency of the sound increases, when the observer moves towards the stationary
source of sound.
Case 4. When the observer moves away from Stationary Source
If the observer D moves away from stationary source with velocity , then the relative velocity of
the waves and the observer is increased to ( ). Then the frequency of sound received by the observer D
is:

( )

( ) ( )

Since , therefore

Result: The apparent frequency of the sound decreases, when the observer moves away from the stationary
source of sound.
Generalization of Case-3 and Case-4
Equation ( ) and ( ) can be combined into a single relation as:

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B.Sc. Physics (H.R.K): Waves and Oscillations Chapter # 20: Sound

( ) ( )

where sign holds for motion towards the source and – sign holds for motion away from source.
It should be noted that apparent change in pitch takes place because the observer receive more or less
waves per second due to its motion.
Case-5: Both Source and Observer are in Motion
Let us consider the case when both source and observer move towards each other.
As we know that when source moves towards or away from observer at rest then frequency is given
by equation ( ) as:

( )

If observer also moves towards or away from source in motion, then apparent frequency will be:

( )

Putting values of from the relation get:

( )( )

( )

where

( ) represents the case when both source and observer are moving towards each other

and

( ) represents the case when both source and the observer are moving away from each other.

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