The human ear can detect sound
waves with frequencies between
20Hz and 20 000 Hz.
Sound waves of a higher
frequency than this are
called ultrasound waves/
Electronic systems
can be used to
produce ultrasound
waves.
When a wave meets a
boundary between two
different materials, part of
the wave is reflected.
The time it takes to reach the detector
can be used to calculate how far away
the boundary is.
The results may be processed by a
computer to give an image.
The distance travelled by an ultrasound pulse can
be calculated using the equation:
S = V x T
S is the distance travelled in
metres, m
V is the speed of the ultrasound wave in
metres per second, m/s.
T is the time taken in
seconds, s
In the time between a transmitter sending out a pulse of
ultrasound and it returning to a detector, it has travelled from the
transmitter to a boundary and back,i.e twice the distance to the
boundary.
Ultrasounds can be used in medicine for scanning. It is non-ionising, so is safer to
use than X-rays. It can be used for scanning unborn babies and soft tissue such as
the eye. Ultrasound may be used in therapy, for example to shatter kidney stones
into small pieces.