Sound Analysis

This was a student project for my Introductory Mechanics course. Students created a CD with a 500Hz sound signal. They then convinced a campus police officer to play the CD in his stereo and while holding his PA mic next to the speaker he drove past them. They used a digital camera to record the sound and created a wave file. Using my sound spectrum program and the Doppler shift they found the squad car's speed. Here is the result. The posted speed limit was 45mph.

Picture of Squad Car Sonagram

Play Sound File


  • Thomas J. Bauer
  • Date Created: 12/4/2010
  • Last Modified: 11/11/2011
  • Expires: 9/1/2013