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13 votes
13 votes
How does the Doppler effect cause a siren's pitch to increase as it

approaches you?

A. Sound waves are spread out, increasing wavelength and
decreasing frequency.

B. Sound waves are pushed closer together, increasing wavelength
and decreasing frequency.
C. Sound waves are spread out, decreasing wavelength and
increasing frequency.

D. Sound waves are pushed closer together, decreasing wavelength
and increasing frequency.

User Yuanyuan
by
3.3k points

2 Answers

9 votes
9 votes

Final answer:

OPTION D.

The Doppler effect leads to a higher pitched siren sound as an emergency vehicle approaches due to the compression of sound waves, resulting in shorter wavelengths and higher frequencies.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Doppler effect causes a siren's pitch to increase as it approaches you because the sound waves are compressed, or pushed closer together, as the source moves towards you. This compression leads to a decrease in wavelength and an increase in frequency, which our ears interpret as a higher pitch. So, the correct answer to your question is D. Sound waves are pushed closer together, decreasing wavelength and increasing frequency.

User Sinsedrix
by
3.4k points
6 votes
6 votes

Answer:B

Step-by-step explanation:

User TiagoDias
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3.6k points