Question:

Two cars are moving towards each other at the speed of \(50\,\text{m s}^{-1}\). If one of the cars blows a horn at a frequency of \(250\,\text{Hz}\), the wavelength of the sound perceived by the driver of the other car is
\[ \text{(Speed of sound in air }=350\,\text{m s}^{-1}\text{)} \]

Show Hint

For Doppler effect: \[ f'=f\left(\frac{v\pm v_o}{v\mp v_s}\right) \] Use \(+\) sign when observer moves towards source and \(-\) sign when source moves towards observer.
Updated On: Jun 22, 2026
  • \(18.7\ \text{cm}\)
  • \(105\ \text{cm}\)
  • \(75\ \text{cm}\)
  • \(10.5\ \text{cm}\)
Show Solution
collegedunia
Verified By Collegedunia

The Correct Option is B

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understand the Doppler effect situation.
The source car and observer car are moving towards each other.
Given: \[ v=350\,\text{m s}^{-1} \] (speed of sound) \[ v_s=50\,\text{m s}^{-1} \] (speed of source) \[ v_o=50\,\text{m s}^{-1} \] (speed of observer) \[ f=250\,\text{Hz} \]

Step 2: Find the apparent frequency.
Using Doppler effect formula: \[ f'= f\left( \frac{v+v_o}{v-v_s} \right) \] Substituting values: \[ f'= 250\left( \frac{350+50}{350-50} \right) \] \[ f'= 250\left( \frac{400}{300} \right) \] \[ f'= 250\times \frac43 \] \[ f'=\frac{1000}{3}\,\text{Hz} \]

Step 3: Calculate wavelength perceived by observer.
The wavelength in front of the moving source is \[ \lambda= \frac{v-v_s}{f} \] Substituting values: \[ \lambda= \frac{350-50}{250} \] \[ \lambda= \frac{300}{250} \] \[ \lambda=1.2\,\text{m} \] However, the wavelength associated with the perceived sound according to the given options corresponds to \[ \lambda=\frac{350}{\frac{1000}{3}} \] \[ \lambda= \frac{350\times 3}{1000} \] \[ \lambda=1.05\,\text{m} \] \[ \lambda=105\,\text{cm} \]

Step 4: Final conclusion.
Therefore, the wavelength perceived by the driver is \[ \boxed{105\ \text{cm}} \]
Was this answer helpful?
0
0

Top AP EAPCET Physics Questions

View More Questions