Doppler effect formula

Gives the frequency heard or measured by an observer when a wave source and the observer move relative to the medium carrying the wave. It applies to sound and other waves whose speed is fixed by the medium, such as police sirens. It does not apply to light or radar, which are electromagnetic waves and require the relativistic Doppler formula.

f = \left( \frac{c + v_\mathrm{r}}{c + v_\mathrm{s}} \right) f_0

What the symbols mean

observed frequency (Hz)
emitted frequency of the source (Hz)
speed of the wave in the medium (m/s)
velocity of the receiver (observer) relative to the medium, positive toward the source (m/s)
velocity of the source relative to the medium, positive away from the receiver (m/s)

About this formula

  • FieldPhysics
  • TopicWaves and acoustics
  • LevelHigh school
  • Also calledDoppler shift formula, Doppler's principle, Doppler shift, observed frequency moving source, frequency change moving observer
  • SourceWikidata Q76436

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