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Question

A car is at rest with its horn continuously sounding. If a person walks toward the car, how does the frequency of the sound heard by the person change?

This question was previously asked in
RRB JE 2025 CBT 2 Mechanical and Allied Engg Question Paper English (2-Jul-2026) (Shift-1)
The correct answer is

The frequency increases

To solve this problem, we need to understand the concept of the Doppler Effect in physics, which describes how the frequency of a sound wave changes due to the relative motion between the source of the sound and the observer.

Concept of Doppler Effect

The Doppler Effect occurs when there is a relative motion between a sound source and an observer. It affects the frequency of the sound perceived by the observer. The formula for the Doppler Effect when the source and observer are in motion is:

f' = f \frac{(v + v_o)}{(v - v_s)}

  • f' is the observed frequency.
  • f is the emitted frequency (frequency of the horn sound).
  • v is the speed of sound in air.
  • v_o is the velocity of the observer relative to the medium (positive if the observer is moving towards the source).
  • v_s is the velocity of the source relative to the medium (positive if the source is moving away from the observer).

Analyzing the Situation

In this problem:

  • The car is at rest, so v_s = 0.
  • The person is walking towards the car, so v_o > 0.

Substituting these values into the Doppler Effect formula gives:

f' = f \frac{(v + v_o)}{v}

Since v_o > 0, the term (v + v_o) > v, which implies that f' > f. This means the observed frequency f' is greater than the actual frequency f, indicating that the frequency of the sound increases.

Conclusion

Thus, the frequency of the sound heard by the person increases as they walk towards the car.

Correct Answer: The frequency increases

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Similar Questions

  1. If the frequency of a sound wave increases while its speed in the medium remains unchanged, what happens to its wavelength?

  2. Which of the following best explains why radio waves are suitable for long-distance communication compared to other regions of the electromagnetic spectrum?

  3. A scientist is designing a concert hall to optimize acoustics. She wants the audience to perceive louder sounds without increasing the energy input from the speakers. Which characteristic of sound should she focus on modifying within the hall's design?

  4. Which of the following statements best explains how the speed of sound changes when it travels from air into water?


Important Questions from Wave

  1. Which of the following is correct?

    I. Sound is a mechanical wave

    II. Sound wave does not need any medium to propagate

  2. At a particular temperature, sound propagates in ______ at the fastest speed .

  3. The atmospheric green house effect is produced mainly by the absorption and re-emission of:

  4. Which of the following are examples of electromagnetic waves?

    a. Television waves

    b. Ultraviolet rays

    c. X-rays

    d. Sun rays

  5. When light passes from one medium into another medium, then the physical property which does not change is

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