Friday 26 September 2014

lesson 4 - ultrasound

sound travels through solids more quickly than through solids
sound travels through liquids more quickly than through gases

humans have a hearing range of 20Hz to 20kHz (this range diminishes with age)
sound with a frequency of greater than 20kHz is called ULTRASOUND

Amplitude - loudness
Wavelength - length of wave
Frequency - waves per second - 1/time period

use of ultrasound #1 - medical scanning



an ultrasound probe emits ultrasound waves and listens for their echoes
the computer that the probe is connected to does millions of distance = speed x time calculations
in order to work out where the baby is positioned
the computer draws a picture of the baby (either as a 2D or a 3D image)

use of ultrasound #2 - cleaning delicate items



sound can make objects resonate - this happens if a forcing signal has a frequency that matches the natural frequency of the object 
if jewellery is placed in an ultrasonic cleaner, the dirt particles are literally shaken off the jewellery by the vibrations of the ultrasound

use of ultrasound #3 - destroying kidney stones



even kidney stones have a natural frequency
an ultrasonic probe can be used to vibrate stones at their natural frequency causing then to shatter
they then pass out of the body via the bladder instead of needing surgery


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