Ultrasound and its uses

Sound is all around us. From the chirping of birds in the morning to the music played in cars and homes, sound is an essential part of our world. In physics, sound is a type of energy that travels in waves through air (or any medium). One fascinating type of sound wave is ultrasound. In this explainer, we will learn about the world of ultrasound, its properties, and its various uses, especially in medicine and technology.

What is ultrasound?

Ultrasound is sound energy that we cannot hear. Its frequency is higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. Humans can usually hear sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. Any sound wave with a frequency higher than 20,000 Hz is known as ultrasonic or ultrasound. Even though we cannot hear it, ultrasound is very useful in many scientific and medical applications.

How does ultrasound work?

Like other sound waves, ultrasound travels through a medium by vibrating the particles in that medium. These waves reflect back when they hit an object or new medium, producing an echo. This property allows us to use ultrasound to see inside things, measure distances, and make pictures.

Frequency (f) = Speed of Sound (v) / Wavelength (λ)

Visualization of sound waves

In the example above, the wave line shows how sound waves travel. The higher the frequency, the closer the waves are to each other and the shorter the wavelength. Notice how the lines curve back and forth. These curves are like the vibrations that make up sound. Ultrasound waves move in a similar pattern through mediums.

Uses of ultrasound

Medical uses

The most common use of ultrasound is in medicine. Doctors use ultrasound to look inside the human body. This is known as an ultrasound scan and is especially helpful for looking at babies in the mother's womb. This process is also known as sonography.

How is this done?

A special device called a transducer is used during an ultrasound scan. The transducer sends out ultrasound waves, which travel inside the body. When these waves hit something, such as an organ or a baby, they reflect back to the transducer. The reflected waves are processed by a computer to produce an image on a screen.

Benefit

• Ultrasound is safe and does not cause any harm to the body.
• It helps to check the development and health of the unborn baby.
• It is painless and non-invasive.

Industrial uses

Ultrasound is also used for inspection and testing in industries. This is known as ultrasonic testing. It is very useful in finding cracks or defects in machines and structures without damaging them.

Example

In the construction industry, if a bridge is likely to have a crack, ultrasonic waves can be sent through the material. If there is a crack, the waves will resonate differently, letting engineers know about the problem.

Cleaning

Another interesting use of ultrasound is in the cleaning of delicate or intricate objects. This is called ultrasonic cleaning. Small objects, such as jewelry or parts of machines and watches, are placed in a tank filled with a special solution. Then, ultrasonic waves are sent through the solution, creating tiny bubbles. These bubbles help remove dirt and grime from the objects without scratching them.

Understanding frequency and wavelength

To better understand ultrasound it is important to understand the basic terms of frequency and wavelength:

Frequency

Frequency is what indicates the frequency of sound vibrations in one second. It is measured in Hertz (Hz). Higher frequency means more vibrations per second, and for ultrasound, these vibrations go beyond the human hearing range.

Wavelength

Wavelength is the distance between two successive peaks or troughs in a wave. It is usually measured in meters. Shorter wavelengths mean higher frequencies and vice versa.

Exploring more uses of ultrasound

Navigation and ranging

Animals like bats use natural ultrasound for navigation. They emit high-frequency sound waves that bounce off objects and come back to them as echoes. This helps them figure out where things are even in the dark. This natural ability is similar to sonar technology.

Sonar (sound navigation and ranging) is used by ships and submarines to determine the depth of the ocean and to locate schools of fish. This technique involves sending sound waves into the water and listening for their echo. The time taken for the echo to return helps in calculating the distance.

Research and development

Ultrasound technology is constantly being developed for new applications. Researchers are exploring its use in environmental mapping, advanced medical treatments such as breaking up kidney stones, and even non-destructive archaeological investigations to find structures hidden underground.

Safety of ultrasound

Ultrasound is considered very safe, especially when compared to other imaging methods such as X-rays. It does not use ionizing radiation, making it a preferred choice for routine checkups, especially during pregnancy. However, it is essential that it is used correctly and by qualified professionals to ensure accurate results and avoid any unnecessary use.

Conclusion

Ultrasound plays a vital role in a variety of fields due to its unique properties. From medical diagnosis to industrial testing, and even cleaning and navigation, the power of sound beyond human hearing enhances our ability to interact with the world. This demonstrates how invisible and unheard energies can significantly benefit humanity through science and technology.

The exploration and applications of ultrasound provide insight into how sound, an everyday phenomenon, holds the key to unraveling the mysteries and solving the challenges of our modern world.

Комментарии