Which increases as frequency increases?

Which increases as frequency increases?

• A. Absorption
• B. All of the above
• C. Scattering
• D. Attenuation

Answer: (B)

As frequency goes up, energy losses during wave propagation grow because the main ways energy is shed become more pronounced. Absorption, where acoustic energy is converted to heat, increases with higher frequency. Scattering, which redirects part of the wave due to inhomogeneities in the medium, also becomes more effective as wavelength shortens at higher frequencies. Attenuation is the total loss per distance and is the sum of absorption and scattering, so it naturally rises when either of those components increases. Since both absorption and scattering increase with frequency, the overall attenuation does as well. That’s why all of the above is the best answer.

As frequency goes up, energy losses during wave propagation grow because the main ways energy is shed become more pronounced. Absorption, where acoustic energy is converted to heat, increases with higher frequency. Scattering, which redirects part of the wave due to inhomogeneities in the medium, also becomes more effective as wavelength shortens at higher frequencies. Attenuation is the total loss per distance and is the sum of absorption and scattering, so it naturally rises when either of those components increases. Since both absorption and scattering increase with frequency, the overall attenuation does as well. That’s why all of the above is the best answer.