Doppler Effect Simulator
Watch how a moving source compresses and stretches wavefronts. See the Doppler frequency shift, Mach cone formation, and the transition to supersonic speeds.
Doppler Parameters
Properties
| f₀ | 700 Hz |
| vₛ | 30 m/s |
| vₒ | 0 m/s |
| v (sound) | 340 m/s |
| f (approach) | -- |
| f (recede) | -- |
| Mach | -- |
| λ approach | -- |
| λ recede | -- |
The Physics Behind It
Doppler Formulas
- Observed frequency: f = f₀(v + vₒ)/(v − vₛ)
- Mach number: M = vₛ/v
- Mach cone half-angle: sin(α) = 1/M
- Approaching wavelength: λ = (v − vₛ)/f₀
Key Concepts
- Doppler effect: the change in observed frequency when a source and observer are in relative motion
- Approaching sources compress wavefronts, producing a higher observed frequency (blue shift)
- Receding sources stretch wavefronts, producing a lower observed frequency (red shift)
- Sonic boom occurs when the source exceeds the speed of sound (Mach > 1), creating a shock wave cone
You're crushing it!