Unit 12: ACOUSTICS

Physicists use only a few basic models to describe the physical world. One such model is the
particle: a point like object with no inner structure and with certain characteristics such as
mass and electric charge. Another basic model is the wave.

A wave is characterized by some sort of “disturbance” that travels away from its source.
In mechanical waves the particles in the medium are disturbed from their equilibrium position
as the wave passes. After the wave has passed the particles return to their equilibrium
position.
A slinky toy can be used to demonstrate two different kind of wave.

In a transverse wave the motion of particles in the medium is perpendicular to the

direction of propagation of wave. Figure (left panel)
In a longitudinal wave, the motion of the particles in the medium is along the same line
as the direction of the propagation of wave. Figure (right panel)
Water waves, seismic waves (earthquake) and sound waves are the most common forms of
mechanical waves.

Sound is a longitudinal compressional mechanical wave that is created by a vibrating

object, such as a guitar string, the human vocal cords, or the diaphragm of a loudspeaker

(Fig.).
Sound can be created or transmitted only in a medium, such as a gas, liquid, or solid.
Sound an not exist in vaccuum.
During the propagation of sound wave, the uniform distribution of air molecules (or any
medium) is disturbed. The regions where the pressure is higher than the average pressure are
called compression. In other regions the molecules are spread out and the pressure is lower
than the average, such regions are called rarefaction.
Frequencies of Sound Waves
The human ear responds to sound waves within a limited range of frequencies. We generally
consider the audible range to extend from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Very few people can actually hear
sounds over the entire range. Even for a person with excellent hearing, the sensitivity of the
ear declines rapidly below 100 Hz to 10 kHz. The terms infrasonic and ultrasonic are used to
describe sound waves with frequencies below 20 Hz and above 20 kHz.

NEWTON’s FORMULA FOR SPEED OF SOUND IN AIR

The speed of sound in a medium, solid, liquid or gas depends on the elasticity and density of
medium.
𝐄𝐥𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐦𝐨𝐝𝐮𝐥𝐮𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 E
v=√ =√
𝐃𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐮𝐦 𝜌
Newton assumed that the temperature of air (other gases) remains constant when sound waves
travel through air. The process is isothermal and Boyle’s law can be applied. At compressed
regions, pressure increases and volume decreases and in rarefied regions the pressure
decreases and volume increases. Under these conditions, the modulus of elasticity is equal to
the pressure of the air (gas).

Suppose;

P = initial pressure
V = initial volume
ΔP = increase in pressure
ΔV = decrease in volume
P + ΔP = final pressure
V - ΔV = final volume
Using Boyle’s law under these conditions,
PV = (P + ΔP) (V-ΔV)
PV = PV – PΔV+ ΔPV – ΔPΔV
PΔV = ΔPV – ΔPΔV
If the change in pressure is small then the corresponding change in volume is also negligible,
hence neglecting ΔPΔV
Therefore, PΔV = ΔPV
ΔPV ΔP
P = ΔV
or P= ΔV
V
 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔 ΔP
Elastic modulus for gases is termed as Bulk Modulus given as B = P = 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
= ΔV
V

E B 𝐏
Hence; v =√ 𝜌 = √ 𝜌 ⇒ v= √𝝆

above equation is called Newton’s formula for speed of sound in air. Since; P = ρmercurygh,

𝝆𝑚𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑦 𝐠𝐡
v=√ 𝜌

at STP, ρmercury = 13.6gcm-3, g = 981 cms-2 and

h = 76 cm and density of air ρ = 1.293 x 10-3 gcm-3

Using these quantities, the speed of sound in air at S.T.P is found to be

13.6 x 981 x 76
v=√ 1.293 x 10−3

v = 28003.447 cms-1 = 280 ms-1

The experimental value determined from various experiments for speed of sound waves in air
at S.T.P is found to be 33200 cm s-1.

NEWTON’s DEFFECT and LAPLACE CORRECTION

According to Laplace when sound waves travel through air, there is compression and rarefaction
in the particles of the medium. Where there is compression, particles come near to each other
and the temperature rises. At rarefaction particles go apart and there is fall of temperature.
Therefore, the temperature does not remain constant. As experimentally found that sound
waves travel through air with a speed of 330 ms-1, the changes in air pressure, volume and
temperature is taken place so rapidly. The process is not isothermal but it is adiabatic.

Hence Boyle’s law is not applicable. The total quantity of heat of the system as a whole remains
constant. It neither gains nor looses any heat through the
surroundings. During an adiabatic process

PV γ = constant, If pressure of the given mass of the gas

changes from P to P+ΔP resulting to a change of V-ΔV in
volume. Then

PV γ = (P + ΔP)(V − ΔV )γ
Divide and multiply volume term of above equation on right hand side with V γ, we get.
ΔV 𝛾
PV γ = (P + ΔP)V 𝛾 (1 − V
)
ΔV 𝛾
P = (P + ΔP)(1 − V
)
ΔV
Expanding through Binomial theorem and neglecting the square and higher powers of we
V
get.
γΔV
P = (P + ΔP)(1- V )
γPΔV γΔPΔV
P = P- V
+ ΔP - V
γΔPΔV
Neglecting the term ,
V
γPΔV
ΔP =
V
ΔP 𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔
Hence, γP = ΔV = =B
𝑽𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒕𝒓𝒊𝒄 𝒔𝒕𝒓𝒂𝒊𝒏
V

γP = B is the Bulk modulus of elasticity for isothermal process, hence the Corrected formula
for speed of sou nd in air.
γP
v=√ 𝜌

Here γ is the ratio between the two molar specific heats C p (at constant pressure) and Cv (at
constant volume) of air or gas. For air, γ = 1.42.
Hence; according to Laplace correction the speed of sound in air is,
𝟏.𝟒𝟐 𝐱 𝟏𝟑.𝟔 𝐱 𝟗𝟖𝟏 𝐱 𝟕𝟔
v=√
𝟏.𝟐𝟗𝟑 𝐱 𝟏𝟎−𝟑

v = 33369.9 cms-1 ≈ 333 ms-1

The value of speed of sound is in good agreement with the experimental value
332 ms-1 at 0oC.

FACTORS AFFECTING THE SPEED OF SOUND IN AIR

1. Density of air,
Elastic modulus of medium
From the relation, v = √
Density of the medium

It is clear that speed of sound varies inversely to the square root of density of air.

2. Moisture

Moisture is the presence of a liquid, especially water in other media, small amounts of water
may be found, for example, in the air (called humidity). The presence of moisture in the air
decreases the resultant density of air which increases the speed of sound in humidity. Hence
the speed of sound in damp (wet) air is greater than in dry air.
3. Pressure

According to General Gas equation, for ‘n’ mole of an ideal gas,

PV = nRT
Where, R is general gas constant = 8.314 Jmole-1K-1 an T is the temperature in Kelvin.
For one mole of air
RT
V= P
Let m is the mass of the air then ρ (density of air) is given as,
m
ρ=
V
RT
Substituting the value of V from V = we have;
P
mP
ρ=
RT
Hence the speed of sound can now be written as,
γP γRT
v=√ 𝜌
⇒v=√ 𝑚

Above equation shows that speed of sound is independent of pressure of gas (air)
4. Temperature

Temperature changes do not affect the speed of sound in liquid and solid media quite
significantly. But for a gas (air) the rise and fall of temperature at constant pressure significantly
increases or decreases the volume of gas, and thus the density of gas is changes inversely.
There is an increase of 0.6 ms-1in the speed of sound in air for each rise of 1oC in temperature.

γP
Consider v=√ 𝜌
Let, vo is the speed of sound at (0oC) = 273K = To and
vt is the speed of sound at (toC+273)K = T
ρo is the density of air at 273K and ρt is the density of air at (toC+273)K.
γP γP
Then vo = √ and vt = √
𝛒 𝐨 𝛒 𝐭
𝛄𝐏
√𝛒
𝒗𝒕 𝐭 𝛒
Therefore; 𝒗𝒐
= 𝛄𝐏
= √𝛒 𝐨
𝐭
√𝛒
𝐨
Since; the volume expansion of gases is defined as the;
Vt = Vo ( 1 + βt)
Where Vo is the volume of gas at 0oC and Vt is the volume of gas at some higher temperature
toC and β is the coefficient of volume expansion of the gas. The approximate value of β for all
1
gases is 273
. Hence Eq. is.
t
Vt = Vo (1 + 273
)
m mass
Since; V= ρ
= density
. Hence Vt becomes
 𝑚 𝑚 t t
= (1
𝜌𝑡 𝜌𝑜
+ 273
) or ρo = ρt (1 + 273
)

𝐭
𝒗𝒕 𝝆𝒕 (𝟏 + ) 273+𝑡
𝒗𝒐
=√ 𝟐𝟕𝟑
𝝆𝒕
=√ 273

𝒗𝒕 𝑇
𝒗𝒐
= √𝑇
𝑜

Above equation shows that speed of sound is directly proportional to the square root of
absolute temperature. Substituting the values of T and To
𝒗𝒕 𝑇 (𝑡 𝑜 𝐶+273)K
𝒗𝒐
=√𝑇 =√ 273 K
𝑜

1
𝒗𝒕 𝑇 𝑡 𝑜𝐶 2
𝒗𝒐
=√𝑇 = (1 + 273)
𝑜

Expanding through Binomial theorem and neglecting the higher order terms yields
𝒗𝒕 𝑡𝑜 𝐶
𝒗𝒐
= (1 + 2 x 273)
𝒗𝒐 𝑡 𝑜 𝐶
Or vt = vo + 546

Since at 0oC, vo = 332 ms-1, The above equation

vt = vo + 0.61t oC
Thus for each degree rise in temperature above 0oC the rise in speed of sound is 0.61 ms-1.
5. Wind
If vw is the wind speed then the speed of sound along the direction of wind relative to ground is
(v + vw) and (v - vw) against the direction of wind.
SUPERPOSITION OF SOUND WAVES
(Principle of Superposition)
When two or more waves overlap, the net
disturbance at any point is the sum of the
individual disturbances due to each wave.
Suppose two wave pulses are travelling toward
each other on a string. If one of the pulses
(acting alone) would produce a displacement y1
at a certain point and the other would produce
a displacement y2 at the same point, the result
when the two overlap is a displacement of y =
y1 + y2. as shown in figure.
Interference of Sound Waves
The principle of superposition leads to extraordinary effects when applied to coherent sound
waves. One way to obtain coherent waves is to get them from same source.
Two waves are coherent if they have the same frequency and they maintain a fixed
relationship with each other.
Waves are incoherent if the phase relationship between
them varies randomly. Whenever two waves come from
two different sources they are incoherent.
The superposition of the waves that are in phase that
is crest of one falls on the crest of other or trough of
one wave falls on the trough of other wave is called
constructive interference.
Suppose coherent waves with amplitudes A1 and A2 pass through the same point in space. If
the waves are in phase at that point, The two waves consistently reach their maxima at exactly
the same instant of time The resultant amplitude is
the algebraic sum of the individual waves
A = A1 + A2.
Two waves that are 180o out of phase at a given point.
The waves are half a cycle apart; when one reaches its
maximum, the other reaches its minimum. The
superposition of waves that are 180o out of phase is called destructive interference. The
amplitude of the combined waves is the difference of the amplitudes of the two individual
waves.

Formation of Beats due to Interference of non-coherent sources

The principle of superposition shall be applied to two harmonic travelling waves in the same
direction in a medium. The two waves are travelling to the right with same frequency, same
wavelength and same amplitude, but differ in phase.
Let y1 and y2 are representing the individual displacement of two waves.
y1 = Ao sin (kx – ωt) and
y2 = Ao sin (kx – ωt – φ)
according to principle of superposition, the resultsnt displacement shall be
Y = y1+ y2
 Y= Ao sin (kx – ωt) + Ao sin (kx – ωt – φ)

Using trigonometric identity

𝒂−𝒃 𝒂+𝒃
sina + sinb = 2 cos ( 𝟐 ) sin ( 𝟐 )

Let a = kx – ωt and b = kx – ωt – φ, we get

𝛗 𝛗
Y = 2Aocos( 𝟐 )sin(𝐤𝒙 − 𝛚𝐭 − 𝟐 )

The resultant wave function Y is also harmonic having same frequency and wavelength as the
φ 𝜑
individual waves with 2Aocos( 2 ) is the resultant amplitude with phase 2
. If the phase constant
φ
φ = 0 then cos ( ) = 1 and the resultant amplitude is 2Ao. This represents the Constructive
2

Interference.
In general φ = 0, 2π, 4π, 6π …….2nπ. Where (n = 1, 2, 3, ……).
On the other hand if φ = π, 3π, 5π …….nπ. Where (n = 1, 3, 5, ……… ), then the resultant
amplitude shall be zero everywhere. This represents Destructive Interference.

Interference of Sound Waves in Time (BEATS)

When two sound waves are close in frequency (within

about 15 Hz of each other), the superposition of the two
The ear identify the amplitude produces a pulsation that we call beats.
(intensity) cycling from large to
small then small to large and then
large to small as pulsation in Beats can be produced by any kind of wave; they are a
loudness. Thus, we refer this general result of the principle of superposition when
phenomenon of beats as
interference of sound waves in applied to two waves of slightly different frequency.
time.
Beats are caused by the slow change in the phase
difference between the two waves.

Suppose at one instant (t = 0T in Fig), the two waves are in phase with each other and interfere
constructively. According to the principle of superposition principle, the resultant amplitude
is maximum. However since the frequencies are different, the waves do not stay in phase.
 higher frequency wave has a shorter cycle, so
it gets ahead of the other one. The phase
difference between the two steadily increases
and the resultant amplitude decreases. At a
later time (t = 5T) the phase difference reaches
180o; now the waves are half a cycle out of
phase and interfere destructively. Now the
resultant amplitude is minimum. As the phase
difference continues to increase, the amplitude
increases until constructive interference
occurs

(The Graph of two sound waves with frequencies f1(Red with amplitude 1) and f2 (Green with
amplitude 2)

Beat Frequency
Since the frequency f is the number of cycles per second. The number of cycles a wave goes
through during a time Tbeat is f Tbeat. From figure Tbeat is 10T. During that time wave I (red) goes
through f1 Tbeat = 10 cycles, while wave 2 (green) goes through f2 Tbeat = 1.1/T x 10T = 11 cycles.
If f2 is greater than f1 then wave 2 goes through one more cycle than wave 1. Hence;
f2 Tbeat - f1 Tbeat = 1

Tbeat (f2 - f1) = f Tbeat

f beat = 1/ Tbeat

f beat = f2 - f1

In this way we obtain a very simple result that the beat frequency is the difference between
the frequencies of the two waves. If the difference between the frequencies of two waves exceeds
by 15 Hz, then the ear no longer perceives a pulsating intensity; instead we hear two tones of
different pitches. The maximum beat frequency a human ear can detect is about 7 beats per
second.

STATIONARY WAVES

Stationary (Standing) waves occur when a string is tightly stretched between two rigid
supports. If the string is plucked from the half of its length, the crest extends the whole
distance between the supports. This distance is clearly half the wavelength of the transverse
wave produce in the stretched string. This wave is reflected at the boundary and the reflected
wave interferes with the incident wave so that the wave appears to stand still.
Analytical treatment of standing waves

Suppose that a harmonic wave on a string, coming from left, hits a boundary where the string
is fixed. The equation of incident harmonic sine wave is; y1 = A sin (kx - ωt ) and the
equation of the reflected sine wave travelling to right is; y 2 = A sin (kx + ωt ). Here y1 and y2
represents the displacements of incident and reflected waves.

Applying the principle of superposition the motion of the stretched string is described by

y = y1+ y2 = A [sin (kx - ωt ) + sin (kx + ωt )]

Using the trigonometric identity

1 1
sin α + sin β= 2[ 2 sin (α + β)] [2 cos (α - β)]

Here, α = kx – ωt and β = kx + ωt
we have;
y = 2A sin kx cos ωt
The resultant expression is the wave function of a standing wave obtained due to the
superposition of two waves of the same amplitude and frequency moving with same
speed in opposite direction along same axis.
In standing wave, different points move with different amplitudes, but every point reaches its
maximum distance (amplitude) from equilibrium at the same time and same frequency. The
amplitude of a particle at any point x is 2Asinkx.
The points which never move labeled as ‘N’ having
minimum (ZERO) amplitude are called NODES.
The nodes are the points where sinkx = 0. Since nπ =0 (n = 0,1,
2𝜋
2, 3,…….). By putting k = 𝜆
, the wave number, the position
𝑛𝜆 𝜆
of nodes are easily calculated at x = 2
. Thus the distance between two adjacent nodes is 2.
The point where displacement is maximum is called ANTI-NODE labeled as ‘A’. The
antinodes occur where sin kx = ± 1, which is exactly half way between apair of nodes. So the
nodes and anti-nodes alternate, with one quarter of a wavelength between a node and the
neighboring antinode.
 MODES OF VIBRATIONS IN A STRETCHED STRING

Fundamental mode of Vibration or First Harmonic

Consider a string of length L fixed at both ends Let the

string is plucked at its middle point, the whole string will
vibrate in one loop, with nodes at fixed ends and anti-node at the middle as shown in the
figure. Since the distance between successive nodes is equal to half a wavelength λ1, for first
𝜆1
harmonic wave. 𝐿= 2
or 𝜆1 = 2𝐿

If v is the speed of either of the component progressive wave, then

𝑣 𝑣
𝑓1 = 𝜆 = 2𝐿
1

if M is the total mass of the string then the speed v of the progressive wave along the string is
given by
𝑻𝑿𝑳
𝒗=√ Where T is tension in the string and L is its length. So
𝑴

1 𝑇 𝑋𝐿
the frequency 𝑓1 is 𝑓1 = 2𝐿
√
𝑀
If 𝜇 is the mass per unit length (linear

𝑀 1 𝑇
density), 𝜇 = then the above equation becomes 𝑓1 = √
𝐿 2𝐿 𝜇

This characteristic frequency 𝑓1 of vibration is called the fundamental frequency or first

harmonic.

Second mode of Vibration (Second Harmonic) or First Overtone

If the string is now plucked from one quarter of its length then the string will vibrate in two
loops. The stationary wave set up in the string will have frequency 𝑓2.
If 𝜆2 is the wavelength of second mode of vibrations
𝜆2 𝜆2 2𝐿
𝐿= 2
+ 2
this gives 𝜆2 = 2
or 𝜆2 = 𝐿

If v is the speed of either of the component progressive wave, then

𝑣 𝑣 2 𝑇
𝑓2 = 𝜆 = 𝐿 or 𝑓2 = √
2𝐿 𝜇
2

1 𝑇
Since; 𝑓1 = √
2𝐿 𝜇

Second harmonic or (First overtone) of Therefore; 𝒇𝟐 = 2f1

vibration
Third mode of Vibration or Thus for a string fixed at both ends the frequency of second

Second Overtone harmonic is twice the frequency of first harmonic.

In general when the string vibrates in n number of loops
with (n+1)th nodes and nth anti-nodes.
The wavelength for such a mode of vibration is
2𝐿
𝜆𝑛 = 𝑛
And the characteristic 𝒇𝒏 is
Figure 12.24 Third harmonic or
(second overtone) of vibration 𝒇𝒏 = nf1 Following conclusions
can be made from the above discussion.
i) A fastened string from both ends shall always vibrate
𝜆3 𝜆3 𝜆3 𝟐𝑳 in complete loops as the nodes on the end points.
𝐿= + + 𝝀𝟑 =
2 2 2 𝟑
ii) The length of a loop shall be the distance between two
Hence the characteristic
frequency for third harmonic shall adjacent nodes and shall be equal to half integral multiple
be of the wavelength.
𝑣 3𝑣
𝑓3 = = 𝜆 2𝜆 3𝜆 𝑛𝜆
𝜆3 2𝐿 𝐿= , , , ………
2 2 2 2

𝑓3 =
3
√
𝑇 (n = 1,2,3…….)
2𝐿 𝜇
iii) The frequency of vibration is directly proportional to
Or 𝒇𝟑 = 3f1 the number of loops, i.e. and the corresponding wavelength
is decreasing. However for any mode of vibration the
product of frequency and wavelength shall remains
constant.
iv) Quantization of Frequencies.
The modes of vibration of stationary waves produced in a fixed string at both ends
are always in a discrete set of frequencies and shall always be the integral multiple
of the frequency of fundamental mode or first harmonic of vibration. This
phenomenon is called quantization.
DOPPLER EFFECT OF SOUND
A fire engine is rushing by, its siren screaming. As it
passes, we hear the “Pitch” change from higher to lower.
The frequency change is called Doppler Effect, after the
Austrian physicist Christian Andreas Doppler (1803-
1853). The observed frequency is different from the
frequency transmitted by the source when one or both are When the fire engine is at res the
in motion relative to the wave medium. wavelength of the sound is the
same in front of and behind the
truck.
Moving Source v = fλ

A source emits a sound wave at frequency f, with velocity v v = speed of sound wave
and wavelength λ which means that wave crests (indicated f = frequency of sound wave
by circles as shown in figure) leave the source spaced by a λ = wavelength of sound wave
time interval T = 1/f. If the source is moving at velocity vs Pitch
toward a stationary observer on the right, s shown in The term pitch refers to the
figure (i). quality of a sound sensation that
differentiates a high note (sound)
from a low note. In physical
description it is most closely tied
to frequency of sound wave. The
higher the frequency, the higher
the pitch.

The wavelength, the distance between the crests is smaller in front of the source and larger
behind the source. In figure.(ii) at the instant the crest 4 is emitted, crest 3 has travelled
outward a distance vTs from point 3. During the same time interval, the source has advanced
a distance vsTs. The wavelength λ` as measured by the observer on the right is the distance
between crests 4 and 3:

λ′ = vTs - vsTs
The frequency at which the crests arrive at the observer is the observed wave frequency f ′. The
observed time period T ′ between the arrival of two crests is the time it takes sound to travel a
distance (v-vs)Ts:
(𝒗 − 𝒗𝒔 )𝑻𝒔
T′= 𝒗
The observed frequency is
𝟏 𝒗 𝟏
f′ = 𝑻𝒐
= (𝒗−𝒗𝒔 )
x𝑻
𝒔
1
Dividing numerator and denominator by 𝑣 and substituting fs = 𝑇𝑠
yields
𝒗
f′= ( ) x fs
𝒗−𝒗𝒔
This shows that the observed frequency is higher than the source frequency, when the source
moves in the same direction as the wave towards the observer.
If the source, instead move away from the stationary listener than the wavelength λ` as
measured by the observer on the left in (Fig.12.28) is the distance between crests 3 and 4:
λ′ = vTs + vsTs
Hence; the observed frequency by the stationary
listener shall be less than the source frequency, given
as
𝒗
f ′ = (𝒗+𝒗 ) x fs
𝒔

Moving Observer

Now we consider a moving observer. A stationary

source emits a sound wave at frequency fs and
wavelength λs= v/fs, where v is the speed of sound. A
stationary observer would measure the arrival of wave crests spaced by a time interval Ts= 1/fs.
an observer moving away from the source at velocity vo would observe a longer time interval
between crests. Just as crest 1 reaches the observer, the next crest 2 is a distance λs away.
Crest 2 catches up with the observer at a time 𝑇 ′ later when the distance the wave crest travels
toward the observer is equal to the distance the observer travels away from the wave crest
plus the wavelength (Fig.iii)
v𝑇 ′ = vo𝑇 ′ + λs

or (v - vo) 𝑇 ′ = λs

(v - vo) 𝑇 ′ = v/fs

Solving for 𝑇 ′ ,
 𝒗/𝒇𝒔
𝑇′ = ( )
𝒗 − 𝒗𝒐
1
Since; f′ = therefore,
𝑇′
𝒗−𝒗
f ′= ( 𝑣 𝒐)fs
An observer moving away from the source detect a frequency lower than the fs. The frequency
observed by an observer moving toward the source is larger than the fs.
𝒗 + 𝒗𝒐
f ′= ( ) x fs
𝒗
Motion of Both Source and Observer
Since the relative change in the frequency (pitch) of sound with respect to listener is dependent
upon the motion of source of sound or listener.
If the source and listener both moves towards each other then we combine the two Doppler’s
shifts. First consider the relative change in frequency with respect to stationary listener as the
source is approaching towards the listener. Let fL be the frequency detected by the listener.
𝒗
fL = (𝒗−𝒗 ) fs
𝒔
If at some moment the listener starts moving towards the approaching source with velocity vo,
then the detected frequency fo shall be
𝒗+ 𝒗𝒐
fo = ( 𝑣
)fL
Substituting the value of fL yields
𝒗+𝒗
fo = ( 𝒗−𝒗 𝒐) fs
𝒔

In case the source and listener are moving away from each other then the observed frequency
shall be
𝒗− 𝒗
fo = ( 𝒗+𝒗 𝒐) fs
𝒔