The relationship between velocity of the source and apparent frequency

Introduction

Recently I saw a police officer using a radar gun and became very curious to understand how

it works. As I began to read research papers 1, I found that a common application of the

Doppler effect is the police radar guns, this device is used to keep a tighter rein on over-

speeding vehicles. The radar gun was made up of a receiver and a radio transmitter, the radar

gun transmits a radio wave signal and receives the same signal after it gets reflected from the

vehicle. The frequency of the reflected signal is higher when the vehicle is approaching the

radar and lower when it is receding. From this difference, the gun calculates the speed of the

vehicle. I found this phenomenon extremely interesting and it evoked a sense of curiosity in

me and made me interested to understand how the velocity of the source affected the

observed frequency.

The Doppler effect has a variety of applications which makes studying this topic worthwhile.

It was also used in the pulse doppler radar which was a massive breakthrough during the

Second World War2.The fuse had a receiver and a radio transmitter that was used to detect

the path of an object using the Doppler effect. The radar system used the Doppler effect of

the returned signal to determine the target object’s velocity. When the object was close to the

fuse, the fuse would go off destroying the target.

Since its discovery, the Doppler shift has multiple applications in technology, astrophysics,

industry and science. The Doppler shift is the apparent change in the frequency of a wave

caused by relative motion between the source of the wave and observer. The time interval

between any two sound pulses is seen to be a constant when the source is stationary while

1 YunyiJia, Longxiang, GuoXinWang. “Real-time control systems”. Science Direct, 2018.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814295-0.00004-6. Accessed on March 2021.

2 "Grand Challenges in Radar Signal Processing". Radar Signal Processing ,2021. https://www.frontiersin.org

1
when the source moves towards the observer, the time interval reduces. Since the time

between the waves is reduced, the frequency increases. Similarly, if a source moves away

from the observer, the time interval between the sound pulses increases and therefore the

frequency decreases. In general, the relative motion between the source and observer alters

the apparent frequency heard by observer. Therefore, the greater the relative speed, the

greater the effect.

The effect of velocity on apparent frequency can be mathematically described through a

series of equations:

The apparent wavelength recorded by a stationary observer due to a moving is:

𝜆′ = 𝜆 − 𝑣𝑠 𝑇

Where 𝑣𝑠 𝑇 is the distance between the source and observer

𝑣
𝑓′ =
𝜆′

Substitute 𝜆′ 𝑤𝑖𝑡ℎ 𝜆 − 𝑣𝑠 𝑇

𝑣 𝑣 1
𝑓′ = = ( )
𝜆 − 𝑣𝑆 𝑇 𝜆 1 − 𝑣𝑠 𝑇
𝜆

1 𝑣
𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 ( 𝑣 ) = 𝑓𝑠 (𝑣 − 𝑣 )
1 − 𝑣𝑠 𝑠

𝑣𝑠 −1
𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 (1 − )
𝑣

𝑥2 𝑥3 𝑥𝑛
Using binomial theorem, the formula for (1 − 𝑥)−1 = 1+ 𝑥 − + + ⋯ 𝑛!
2! 3!

𝑣
Since 𝑣𝑠 < 𝑣 𝑎𝑛𝑑 ( 𝑣𝑠 ) → 0, it can be written as:

𝑣 𝑓
𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 (1 + 𝑣𝑠 )= 𝑓𝑠 + ( 𝑣𝑠 ) 𝑣𝑠

𝑓 ′ = 𝑐 + 𝑚𝑣𝑠

Sample graph:

𝑓𝑠
𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 + ( ) 𝑣𝑠
𝑣
𝑓𝑠 = 200 𝐻𝑧
𝑓𝑠 200
= = 0.58
𝑣 340
′
𝑓 = 200 + (0.58)𝑣𝑠

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 Velocity of source vs observed frequency
240
235
Observed frequency(Hz)

230
225
220
215
210
205
200
195
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Velocity of source(cm/s)

Graph 1: Velocity of source (cm/s) vs Observed frequency (Hz)

Therefore, to investigate this relationship, I decided to conduct the experiment by using a

plank as an incline whose inclination angle could be varied in order to change the speed of

the source. The angles that the velocity would be measured at is 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°

and 40°. As the angle of inclination is increased, the velocity of the object will increase as

well.

Design

I. Research question

How does the observed frequency vary with the velocity of the source?

II. Hypothesis

The observed frequency (𝑓 ′ ) increases as the velocity of the source increases (𝑣𝑠 ) when the

𝑓
source approaches the observer. As noticed in the equation 𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 + ( 𝑣𝑠 ) 𝑣𝑠 , if the variable

(𝑓𝑠 ) is kept constant at 200 Hz. There will be a linear graph when 𝑓 ′ is plotted against 𝑣𝑠

passing through (0, 𝑓𝑠 )

III. Variables

Independent variable: velocity of the source (𝑣𝑠 )- this will be varied by changing the

inclination angle of the plank in steps of 5° starting from 10° 𝑡𝑜 40° . As the angle of

inclination increases, the velocity will increase.

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Dependent variable: observed frequency (𝑓 ′ )- this will be measured using an app(Online

Pitch Detector) that senses the frequency

1. Controlled variables

a. Frequency of source

Reason: The observed frequency is dependent on the frequency of the

source as well. Therefore, if we manipulate the frequency of the source, it

would directly have an effect if the observed frequency.

Method: The frequency of the source emitted by the app is kept constant at

200 Hz throughout all the trials

b. Temperature of the environment

Reason: Since the velocity of the source and temperature are directly

related, it becomes essential to keep it constant

Method: All the trials of the experiment were conducted on the same day

in a closed environment

c. Friction

Reason: The friction of the wooden slab on the plank could directly affect

the recorded velocity

Method: The same slab would be used throughout the experiment

d. Distance between the source (the phone emitting the frequency) and the

observer (a phone reading the emitted frequency which is at rest)

Reason: As the distance between the source and observer increases, the

observed frequency will gradually decrease

Method: The length of the plank is kept constant throughout the

experiment

IV. Apparatus

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 1. Plywood plank-60 cm

2. L clamp

3. Weights (container with salt)- weight

4. String- 80 cm

5. Pipe- 20 cm

6. 2 phones- Iphone Xr(source) and Samsung s9(receiver)

7. App (frequency detector)- Online Pitch Detector3

8. App (frequency emitter)- Frequency Sound Generator4

9. App (to analyze the video)-Slowmo Video analysis 5

Toy car

Phones

String

Pipe and
L-clamp

Container
V. Method with salt
1. First, using a plywood piece( 60 cm), I drilled two L-clamps on it, then I inserted a

pipe through the L-clamps and added a string on the pipe so it could act as a pulley

3 “Tuners.” Online Mic Test, 24 Mar. 2021, https://www.onlinemictest.com/tuners/.

4Frequency Sound Generator. LuxDeLux, v2.6.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.luxdelux.frequencygenerator&hl=en_IN&gl=US

5 Slowmo Video analysis. Pico Brother, 1.10.20. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slowmo-slowmo-video-analysis/id843274461

5
 system. The string was connected to a weight (using a container filled of salt) on one

side and a toy car on the other side

2. A phone(Iphone Xr) which acted as a frequency emitter (which would act as the

moving source) was placed on top on the wooden slab. Another phone(Samsung

s9)was placed at the bottom of the plank and acted as the observer at rest and

calculated the observed frequency.

3. The plank would first be placed at 10°. To maintain constant velocity, the plank was

divided into two 2 regions, 20 cm each and measurements were taken for both the

regions. The time taken was calculated for each region, this process will be repeated 5

times and the average velocity will be calculated.

4. After calculating the velocity, an app on the phone would be used to calculate the

observed frequency as the car moved downwards. Readings of observed frequency

will be taken for both the regions. This procedure will also be repeated 5 times.

5. Steps 3 to 5 will be repeated for the angles 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45° and 50° as well

VI. Safety considerations

The equipment will be placed on a table, this could cause it to fall off and hurt

someone. To avoid this, the equipment was not placed in the corner of the table

and it was ensured that the equipment was not fidgeted with.

Raw data collection

I. Collected Data

In order to determine the apparent frequency for the two distances of 20 cm each, the

time of travel was recorded for every angle of inclination in steps of 5°. The results

are tabulated as shown:

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 Hz

Hz

Table 1: Measured time (s) for both displacements (from 20-40 cm and 40-60cm) and Observed frequency (Hz)

From table 1, it is observed that as the angle of incline increases, the time taken reduces and

observed frequency increases.

Data processing

From the collected data, we can calculate the average time taken for the car to cross a

Δ𝑥
distance of 20 cm. After that, using the formula 𝑣̅ = , we can calculate the velocity for
Δ𝑡

each trial. We will also calculate the average frequency for all five trials by adding all the

obtained frequencies and dividing it by 5.

Sample calculation:

For 10°:

∑3𝑖=1 𝑇1 (0.5+0.6+0.6)
= = 0.56 s
3 3

Δ𝑥
𝑣̅ =
Δ𝑡
20
𝑣̅ = = 36 𝑐𝑚/𝑠
0.56

The average observed frequency was calculated as

∑5
𝑖=1 𝑓
′ (200.3+200.7+200.5+200.7+200.4)
= = 200.5 Hz
5 5

The processed data is represented in the table below:

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 Table 2: Processed data with average velocity (cm/s) and average observed frequency (Hz)

Uncertainties

Length (±0.05cm) The smallest unit on my scale was 0.1cm, to find the uncertainty I divided it by 2.

Time (±0.025 s) I was able to analyze the time taken till 0.05 seconds using a app to analyze videos

frame by frame

Frequency (±0.05 Hz) The app I used to measure frequency was able to measure the frequency till 0.1 Hz

Table 3: Uncertainty in velocity and observed frequency

To calculate the uncertainty in velocity of the source

approaching the observer (assuming acceleration to

be 0 for the 20 cm length of the plank) the formula

Δ𝑣 Δ𝑠 Δ𝑡
= + 𝑡 was used.
𝑣0 𝑠0 0

Using these values, I calculated the percentage

uncertainty for 𝑣̅ :

Δ𝑣 0.05 𝑐𝑚 0.025s
= + = 0.05× 100 = 5%
𝑣0 20 𝑐𝑚 0.56𝑠

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Table 4: Uncertainty in velocity

𝑓
Using the formula, 𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 + ( 𝑣𝑠 ) 𝑣𝑠 , we observe that if we plot 𝑣𝑠 by 𝑓 ′ we must observe a

𝑓
y intercept of 200 (𝑓𝑠 ) and gradient of ( 𝑣𝑠 )

Velocity of source vs observed frequency

203.5

203
Observed frequency (Hz)

202.5

202

201.5

201

200.5

200
0.00 10.00 20.00 30.00 40.00 50.00 60.00 70.00 80.00 90.00
Velocity of source (cm/s)

Graph 2: Velocity of source (𝑣𝑠 ) vs observed frequency (𝑓 ′ ) for the displacement 20 to 40 cm

Velocity of source vs observed frequency

203
Observed frequency (Hz)

202.5

202

201.5

201

200.5

200
0.00 20.00 40.00 60.00 80.00 100.00 120.00
Velocity of source (cm/s)

Graph 3: Velocity of source (𝑣𝑠 ) vs observed frequency (𝑓 ′ ) for the displacement 40 to 60

Verification

As observed in Graph 1, the equation of the best line observed is:

y = 0.0605x + 198.42

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 𝑓
Comparing this equation with 𝑓 ′ = 𝑓𝑠 + ( 𝑣𝑠 ) 𝑣𝑠 , where we predicted that we must observe a

y intercept of 200 Hz (𝑓𝑠 ). The y-intercept observed from my data is 198.42 Hz, the slight

deviation from the predicted y-intercept will be discussed further in the evaluation section.

Conclusions and evaluation

After the data was collected from the experiment and processed, it can be concluded that the

results support the initial hypothesis. One can observe from the table, that as the average

velocity of the source increases, the observed frequency increases too, suggesting a positive

correlation between both the variables. A plot of the observed frequency (𝑓 ′ ) vs the velocity

of the source (𝑣𝑠 ) indicated a linear correlation between the two variables. The results of my

experiment supported my initial hypothesis. The y- intercept calculated (198.42 Hz) was
200−198.42
close to the source frequency which was 200 Hz. The percentage error ( × 100 =
200

0.79%) was probably caused due to systematic errors during the conduction of the

experiment. Such an error could be a result of limited data collection, non-uniformity in

friction along the length of the plane and background noise. This will be discussed in depth in

the evaluation section.

On the other hand, one can notice a relatively high precision in the data obtained. There was a

total of 5 trials to record the observed frequency and 3 trials to calculate the time taken. This

was repeated for both the 20 cm intervals. Table 4 demonstrates that the percentage

uncertainty for velocity was below 13% and table 3 demonstrates the absolute uncertainty for

the observed frequency remained 0.05 Hz. The values of Graph 1 and 2 mostly pass through

the line of best fit with slight marginal shifts, in general one can say the data collected is

highly precise within experimental errors. It can be concluded that I was able to achieve the

aim of my exploration and proved my hypothesis.

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Evaluation

Source of error and effect Evidence Improvements

Systematic errors affecting

accuracy

Limited amount of data: High significance as there Including higher angles of

Throughout the experiment, could have been other inclination by manipulating

the angle was manipulating correlations observed with the angle from 10° to 70° in

only 7 times (till 40° in steps more data. steps of 5° each could have

of 5° each). Using only 7 given a more accurate

angles on might have correlation. We can also

resulted in inaccurate mark the plank at intervals

correlation between the of 5 cm instead of 20cm,

variables. smaller intervals can help

maintain a constant velocity

and give a more accurate

correlation.

Non-uniformity in friction High significance as there A uniform plastic sheet or a

along the length of the was a slight variation in the glass sheet could have been

plane: time taken to cross the 20 used to minimize this effect.

The friction along the plane cm regions which could

was assumed to be uniform. affect the velocity

calculation and hence

observed frequency.

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Background noise: High significance as there Conducting the experiment

The background noise could was a slight variation in the in a sound proof room could

have affected the readings y-intercept and it was not be a potential way to reduce

on the app and caused the value that was expected background noise.

incorrect readings.

Random errors affected precision

Scale precision: An uncertainty of ±0.05𝑐𝑚 Being insignificant, no

When measuring and marking the suggests the measurements improvements are

20 cm intervals on the plank, an taken were mostly precise. needed.

uncertainty of ±0.05𝑐𝑚 was

observed. Due to the precision of

the scale, the values of the

average velocity of the source

might have slightly shifted to the

left or the right.

App precision: An uncertainty of ±0.025 𝑠 Being insignificant, no

When measuring the time taken suggests the measurements improvements are

by the source, the app used had a taken were mostly precise needed.

precision of ±0.025 𝑠, which and affected the values

could have given a slightly greater barely.

or smaller velocities hence the

points on the graph might have

slightly shifted to the left or the

right.

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Frequency Sound Generator. LuxDeLux, v2.6.

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.luxdelux.frequencygenerator&hl=en_IN&gl=US

"Grand Challenges in Radar Signal Processing". Radar Signal Processing ,2021. https://www.frontiersin.org

Lowry, Robert. ‘An Experimental Study of a Table-Top Doppler Effect Simulation’.

https://web.wpi.edu/Pubs/E-project/Available/E-project-043009-

055940/unrestricted/AnExperimentalStudyOfATableTopDopplerSimulation.pdf. Accessed on 25

December,2021.

Slowmo Video analysis. Pico Brother, 1.10.20. https://apps.apple.com/us/app/slowmo-slowmo-video-

analysis/id843274461

Palik, Dip, Akash. ‘Doppler effect and its applications’. Research Gate, 2016,

DOI:10.13140/RG.2.2.13553.61282. Accessed on 24 September,2021.

Ran, J., Zhang, Y., Chen, X. et al. ‘Observation of the Zero Doppler Effect’. Sci Rep 6, 2016.

https://doi.org/10.1038/srep23973.Accessed on 23 October 2021

“Tuners.” Online Mic Test, 24 Mar. 2021, https://www.onlinemictest.com/tuners/.

YunyiJia, Longxiang, GuoXinWang. “Real-time control systems”. Science Direct, 2018.

https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-814295-0.00004-6. Accessed on March 2021.

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