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IB DP Physics Questions

9.5 Doppler Effect

Question 1

An ambulance with its siren on is moving towards an observer. How will the frequency of the siren sound to the observer?

A. Lower than the actual frequency

B. Higher than the actual frequency

C. The same as the actual frequency

D. The frequency will fluctuate rapidly

Question 2

What phenomenon occurs when an object travels through the air at a speed faster than the speed of sound?

A. Redshift

B. Blueshift

C. Sonic boom

D. Echo

Question 3

Which of the following is NOT a factor affecting the Doppler Effect for sound?

A. Speed of the source

B. Speed of the observer

C. Frequency of the source

D. Colour of the source

Question 4

A star is moving away from the Earth. How will its light appear to observers on Earth?

A. Redshifted

B. Blueshifted

C. Unchanged

D. Brighter

Question 5

What happens to the frequency of a sound wave if both the source and the observer are moving in the same direction at the same speed?

A. Frequency increases

B. Frequency decreases

C. Frequency remains unchanged

D. Frequency fluctuates

Question 6

a) Explain the principle behind the Doppler Effect, especially in the context of sound waves. [3]

b) A car is moving towards an observer at a speed of 20 m/s. If the car's horn emits a sound of frequency 500 Hz, calculate the frequency heard by the observer. Assume the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s. [3]

Question 7

a) Describe the difference in the Doppler Effect observed for sound waves and light waves. [3]

b) A distant star is moving away from Earth at a speed of 0.05 times the speed of light. If the emitted light from the star has a frequency of 5 x 10^14 Hz, determine the observed frequency on Earth. [3]

Question 8

a) What is meant by redshift and blueshift in the context of the Doppler Effect for light? [2]

b) An astronomer observes a galaxy emitting light with a wavelength of 600 nm. If the actual emitted wavelength is 550 nm, is the galaxy moving towards or away from Earth? [3]

Question 9

a) Define the Doppler Effect and explain how it can be observed in everyday life. [3]

b) A train is moving away from a stationary observer with a speed of 30 m/s. The train blows its whistle, which has a frequency of 400 Hz. Calculate the frequency of the sound heard by the observer. Assume the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s. [3]

c) How would the frequency change if the observer were moving towards the train at a speed of 10 m/s? [3]

Question 10

a) What is the significance of the Doppler Effect in astronomy? [3]

b) A star is moving towards Earth at a speed of 0.02 times the speed of light. If the emitted light from the star has a frequency of 6 x 10^14 Hz, determine the observed frequency on Earth. [3]

c) Explain the terms "redshift" and "blueshift" in this context. [2]

Question 11

Which of the following best describes the Doppler Effect?

A. The change in frequency of a wave due to the motion of the source

B. The reflection of sound waves off surfaces

C. The bending of light as it passes through different mediums

D. The interference of waves from two sources

Question 12

In the context of the Doppler Effect, what does "redshift" specifically refer to?

A. An increase in the frequency of light

B. A decrease in the frequency of light

C. A change in the amplitude of light

D. A change in the speed of light

Question 13

If an aircraft is moving at the speed of sound, it is said to be:

A. Subsonic

B. Transonic

C. Supersonic

D. Hypersonic

Question 14

Which of the following scenarios will result in a blueshift?

A. A galaxy moving away from Earth

B. A car moving away from an observer with its horn blaring

C. A star moving towards Earth

D. A plane flying parallel to an observer

Question 15

What is the primary cause of the Doppler redshift observed in distant galaxies?

A. The rotation of the galaxies

B. The gravitational pull of the galaxies

C. The expansion of the universe

D. The temperature of the galaxies

Question 16

a) How does the Doppler Effect differ for sound waves and light waves? [3]

b) An aeroplane is moving with a speed of 340 m/s and emits a sound of frequency 500 Hz. Calculate the frequency of the sound heard by a stationary observer in front of the aeroplane. [3]

c) If the same aeroplane were emitting light, how would the Doppler Effect manifest? [2]

Question 17

a) Describe the phenomenon of a sonic boom. [3]

b) If a jet plane travels at twice the speed of sound, what would an observer on the ground hear as it passes overhead? [2]

c) How is the concept of a sonic boom analogous to the Doppler Effect observed in light waves from celestial objects? [3]

Question 18

a) Explain the principle behind the Doppler Effect and how it affects the frequency of waves. [3]

b) A car is moving towards a stationary observer with a speed of 20 m/s and honks its horn, which has a frequency of 600 Hz. Calculate the frequency of the sound heard by the observer. Assume the speed of sound in air is 343 m/s. [3]

c) If the car were moving away from the observer at the same speed, how would the frequency change? [3]

d) How would the results differ if the observer were also moving, and in which scenarios would the frequency increase or decrease? [3]

Question 19

a) How is the Doppler Effect used in astronomy to determine the motion of distant galaxies? [3]

b) A distant galaxy is observed to have a redshift of 0.01. If the emitted light from a star in this galaxy has a wavelength of 500 nm, determine the observed wavelength on Earth. [3]

c) Calculate the speed at which the galaxy is moving away from Earth, given the speed of light is 3x10^8 m/s. [3]

d) How does the observed redshift provide evidence for the Big Bang Theory? [3]

Question 20

a) Describe the phenomenon of "blueshift" and how it contrasts with "redshift". [3]

b) An ambulance is moving towards you with a speed of 25 m/s, and its siren has a frequency of 700 Hz. Calculate the frequency you would hear. [3]

c) If the ambulance were emitting light, how would the Doppler Effect manifest in terms of observed colour? [3]

d) How is the Doppler Effect used in medical imaging and diagnostics? [3]

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