The table shows the speed of ultrasound waves in different tissues in the human body.
Tissue
Speed
(m/s)
Air 330
Fat 1,450
Water 1,480
Liver 1,550
Kidney 1,560
Blood 1,570
Muscle 1,580
Bone 4,080
What happens to an ultrasound wave that moves from muscle to bone?
(1 point)
Which of the following is the best option?
a) The frequency of the wave increases.
b) The wavelength of the wave decreases.
c) The frequency of the wave decreases.
d) The wavelength of the wave increases.
The correct answer is b) The wavelength of the wave decreases. When an ultrasound wave moves from one tissue to another with a different speed, the wavelength changes, but the frequency remains constant. In this case, since the speed of sound in muscle is lower than in bone, the wavelength of the wave will decrease as it moves from muscle to bone.
To determine what happens to an ultrasound wave that moves from muscle to bone, we can refer to the table that shows the speed of ultrasound waves in different tissues in the human body.
From the given table, we can see that the speed of ultrasound waves is higher in muscle (1,580 m/s) compared to bone (4,080 m/s). As ultrasound waves travel through different mediums, their speed changes.
When an ultrasound wave travels from one medium to another with a higher propagation speed, such as from muscle to bone, several outcomes can be observed. In this case, the ultrasound wave will experience an increase in speed as it transitions from muscle to bone.
Now, let's consider the options provided:
a) The frequency of the wave increases.
b) The wavelength of the wave decreases.
c) The frequency of the wave decreases.
d) The wavelength of the wave increases.
From the given options, the change in speed does not directly affect the frequency of the wave. Therefore, option a and c can be ruled out.
However, the wavelength of a wave can be calculated using the formula: wavelength = speed / frequency. Since the speed increases and the frequency remains constant, the wavelength of the ultrasound wave will also increase as it moves from muscle to bone.
Hence, the correct answer is:
d) The wavelength of the wave increases.
In this case, as the ultrasound wave moves from muscle to bone, the correct option is:
b) The wavelength of the wave decreases.
Ultrasound waves, like any other waves, experience a change in speed when they travel from one medium to another. In this context, the velocity of ultrasound waves in bone is significantly higher than in muscle. As the wave moves from muscle (lower speed) to bone (higher speed), the wavelength decreases. The frequency, however, remains constant as it is determined by the source of the ultrasound wave.