Doppler's Effect

This weekend Physics did not pop out at me, rather, I sought to test the Physics theory known as Doppler’s effect. It states that there is a change in the apparent frequency of a wave as the observer and the source move toward or away from each other. As I drove Kylie’s car, I honked the horn and perceived a continuous, constant frequency (from the horn). Kylie, standing outside as the observer/listener experienced a change in frequency as I (the source) drove past her while honking the horn. The sound waves in the front of the car became more bunched together (from the perspective of the listener) as the car drove towards her so, Kylie experienced a higher frequency from the horn. As I drove away from her, she perceived a lower frequency, resulting from the more spaced out sound waves in the back. Physics surrounds us and is surprisingly very evident in our everyday lives.

Transformers:

Sound Waves

The Physics concept of sound waves popped out to me over sprig break. I went to Disneyland for a day on the West coast college tour and experienced a myriad of differing frequencies and volumes. It was not until after spring break however, that I learned of what makes these properties and the variables that affect them. I noticed that everyone’s scream was different while on Splash Mountain with Borys (09), Kylie (10), and two mysterious people. Surprisingly, Borys produced the highest pitched (highest frequency) and loudest scream (largest amplitude) which can be illustrated by a sound wave graph. As the frequency of the sound wave increases, the pitch or sound we perceive increases correspondingly. As the amplitude of the sound wave increases, the volume increases as well. With this known, I can now visualize a possible sound wave graph for everyone on the ride (as they screamed). I produced a scream quieter than Borys’ (smaller amplitude) and at a slightly lower frequency. Kylie, on the other hand, produced an abnormally low pitched scream (low frequency) and with a very loud volume (biggest amplitude out of all of us). Physics once again, never ceases to amuse me!