Doppler Effect & MCAT

[aspiringdoc09]

How do you know when to use the actually doppler effect equation or the doppler approximation equation? I just finished the EK Physics 1001 questions dealing with waves and nearly missed all the doppler effect equations because they used the approximation equation (for which I didn't know existed) to quickly find answers. I have been studying from TPRH and don't recall seeing the approximation equation (I will re-review) or at least they made it seem unneccessary to know. Is it better to use doppler approximation versus the regular equation? These may be stupid questions.

---

Members don't see this ad.

 

[MedPR]

How do you know when to use the actually doppler effect equation or the doppler approximation equation? I just finished the EK Physics 1001 questions dealing with waves and nearly missed all the doppler effect equations because they used the approximation equation (for which I didn't know existed) to quickly find answers. I have been studying from TPRH and don't recall seeing the approximation equation (I will re-review) or at least they made it seem unneccessary to know. Is it better to use doppler approximation versus the regular equation? These may be stupid questions.

It's almost always better to approximate on the MCAT. Especially if a question can be answered purely from knowledge of the concept.