Please help!

A fire engine is rapidly approaching the corner. Explain what happens to the frequency of the sound wave as the fire engine draws closer. What do you hear?

The question is unclear. Can someone please clarify it for me?

~Micah K.

Question

Please help!

A fire engine is rapidly approaching the corner. Explain what happens to the frequency of the sound wave as the fire engine draws closer. What do you hear?

The question is unclear. Can someone please clarify it for me?

~Micah K.

anonymous · Answer

It is unclear for me at least.

carmuz · Answer

I think is clear enough. The Doppler Effect is the change in pitch or frequency that you hear when the source of sound is moving with respect to you. The question is: do you hear that the sound gets higher or lower (in terms of frequency)?

anonymous · Answer

I already understand the Doppler effect and its properties. It's just that I'm confused with the position of the truck and me. Is the truck passing by or or coming at me? If it is coming at me, I wouldn't hear any pitch change but if it passes by me I would. That is what is confusing me.

carmuz · Answer

When the truck is getting closer, the pitch increases (although is subtle). As soon as the truck passes by, the pitch will decrease.

anonymous · Answer

Okay, thanks.