AbraCalc

Observer Running Toward a Stationary 440 Hz Source at 5 m/s

A person jogging at 5 m/s toward a stationary 440 Hz tone hears approximately 446 Hz.

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How to use this tool

  1. Enter source frequency fā‚€, source velocity vā‚›, observer velocity vā‚’ and wave speed v in the fields above.
  2. Results update instantly as you type — or click Calculate.
  3. Read your observed frequency and the full breakdown beneath it.

Even a running observer creates a small but measurable Doppler shift — about 6 Hz when jogging toward a musical A4 note.

Frequently asked questions

What is the speed of sound used here?
343 m/s at 20 °C in air at sea level. It varies with temperature: roughly v ā‰ˆ 331 + 0.6ƗT(°C) m/s.
Does the Doppler effect apply to light too?
Yes, but the relativistic formula must be used. The astronomical redshift of distant galaxies is a Doppler-related phenomenon.