A car is moving towards a student at constant speed. The student notices that the sound the car makes gets louder and louder as the car approaches. The student suggests that the car sounds louder as it approaches because of the Doppler effect that he learned about in science class this week.
How would you respond to the above statement made by the student?
Responses
A The student has stated a valid conclusion for his observation.The student has stated a valid conclusion for his observation.
B The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the car does not get louder.The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the car does not get louder.
C The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the Doppler effect is about frequency and not amplitude.The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the Doppler effect is about frequency and not amplitude.
D The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the Doppler effect is about amplitude and not frequency.The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the Doppler effect is about amplitude and not frequency.
C The student has drawn a poor conclusion because the Doppler effect is about frequency and not amplitude.
The Doppler effect is the change in frequency of a wave in relation to an observer who is moving relative to the wave source. It does not affect the amplitude, or loudness, of the sound. So, the student's conclusion that the car sounds louder as it approaches due to the Doppler effect is incorrect.