PASCO : Physics - University : Waves and Sound : Doppler Effect

The Teaching Challenge

Nothing beats a live demonstration.

When teaching the concept of Doppler Shift, it’s common to ask students to think about what airplanes sound like as they pass overhead, or to show videos of rushing race cars and speeding trains. Airplanes and race cars can clearly demonstrate Doppler Shift, but are impossible to bring live into the classroom. That’s why we developed the Doppler Rocket.

The speaker protected inside this foam-covered rocket emits a pure tone at a constant frequency.

The PASCO Solution

There is no easier way to demonstrate Doppler Shift. Two people can send the Doppler Rocket racing back and forth along its control lines at up to 10 m/s by simply pulling the handles of the lines apart. When the Doppler Rocket is switched on it emits a pure, easy-to-hear tone of about 620 Hz. Students standing next to the lines between the Rocket operators will hear a distinct change in pitch as the rocket zips past.

That’s it! It’s that easy!

Solution at a Glance

		Qty.
Doppler Rocket (WA-9826)		1

For more product information and to order products separately, see below.

Features:

Rugged -- Skinned foam protects the unit during classroom use.
Low Power Consumption -- One 9V battery provides several years of typical use.
Handle Cushions -- Cushions prevent the Doppler Rocket from hitting the students hands as they propel the rocket across the room.
Multi-Function Handles -- The rope of the Doppler Rocket can be wound around the handles for easy storage

How It Works

The Doppler Rocket emits a true, sinusoidal sound waveform at a constant frequency of approximately 620 MHz. At a velocity of 10 m/s, the result is a 20 Hz shift in frequency as the rocket flies past students. The rocket is covered in a skinned foam, protecting the unit during normal impacts.