Doppler Type V1/V2

As an object moves through air not only must push some of the air out of the way, but it also creates sound waves. This moving source of sound causes what is known as the Doppler Effect. When the object reaches the speed of sound, air cannot readily move out of the way and a shock wave is formed. When the object is moving faster than sound, the resulting sounds travel behind the object, creating a sonic boom.

These typeface explores the shapes created using sound waves and the wake of sound which objects leave behind them.

The Science

Moving in Air

When an object such as an aeroplane moves through the air, it increases the frequency of the sound waves ahead of it, due to its velocity. This is the Doppler Effect, where the pitch of the sound is heard as higher when the object is moving toward you and the pitch is lower, as the object moves away.

Speed of Sound

When the moving object or airplane reaches the speed of sound, it catches up to the sound waves it is creating, and they bunch up at the front end of the object, forming a shock wave. This is a reason that it is difficult for an airplane to break the sound barrier.

Supersonic Speeds

When an aircraft travels at supersonic speeds or is moving faster than sound, it leaves the sound waves it makes behind it. These waves fan out and cause a sonic boom.

Longer Wavelength

Lower Frequency

Shorter Wavelength

Higher Frequency

Shockwaves Created

SonicBoom

Shorter Wavelength

Higher Frequency

Shockwaves Created

V1.

V2.

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