I listed the questions with my answers. Are the answers correct? Thanks.
A railroad locomotive is a rest with its whistle shrieking, and then it starts moving toward you.
a.) Does the frequency that you hear increase, decrease, or stay the same?
The frequency of the waves increases as the waves are compressed in front of the locomotive.
b.) How about the wavelength reaching your ear?
The wavelength is compressed, producing a higher sounder heard.
c.) How about the speed of sound in the air between you and the locomotive?
The speed of sound is a constant, so it does not change.
Please don't answer this post with a wabsite to go to. Thanks!
You are correct. I had the EXACT same Physics problem and got them correct.
a.) The frequency that you hear increases. This is known as the Doppler effect, which occurs when there is relative motion between the source of the sound waves (the locomotive) and the observer (you). As the locomotive moves closer to you, the sound waves get compressed, resulting in a higher frequency of the sound you hear.
b.) The wavelength reaching your ear decreases. As mentioned earlier, the sound waves get compressed in front of the locomotive. This compression leads to a shorter wavelength, which corresponds to a higher-pitched sound that you perceive.
c.) The speed of sound in the air between you and the locomotive does not change. The speed of sound is primarily determined by the medium through which it travels, which in this case is the air. Assuming the temperature and other environmental factors remain constant, the speed of sound remains the same regardless of the motion of the locomotive or the observer.
To determine the correctness of your answers, it is helpful to understand the underlying principles and concepts involved. In this case, the Doppler effect explains why the frequency and wavelength change while the speed of sound remains constant.