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IGCSE Physics, Cambridge 0625, Malaysia

Ultrasound

Sound waves with frequencies above 20 000 Hz, beyond the upper limit of human hearing.

Ultrasound has frequencies above 20 kHz (the upper limit of human hearing).

Medical uses: prenatal scanning (safe, non-ionising), breaking kidney stones.

Industrial uses: detecting cracks in metal castings, cleaning delicate components, sonar (measuring ocean depth and locating objects).

Distance measurement with ultrasound:

d=v×t2d = \frac{v \times t}{2}

The factor of 2 accounts for the pulse travelling to the reflecting surface and back.

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