Which terms describe the strength of a sound beam?

Which terms describe the strength of a sound beam?

• A. Amplitude and impedance
• B. Amplitude and wavelength
• C. Amplitude and intensity
• D. Intensity and impedance

Answer: (C)

The strength of a sound beam is described by amplitude and intensity. Amplitude is the maximum pressure variation in the wave—essentially how tall the wave is. A larger amplitude means a stronger, louder pressure change in the medium. Intensity measures how much energy the beam carries per unit area per unit time, so a beam with higher intensity delivers more energy to the tissue. These two together capture both the instantaneous strength (through amplitude) and the overall energy delivery (through intensity) of the beam. Impedance is about how the medium resists the wave and affects reflection and transmission, not how strong the beam is. Wavelength is the distance between peaks and relates to frequency and speed rather than strength.

The strength of a sound beam is described by amplitude and intensity. Amplitude is the maximum pressure variation in the wave—essentially how tall the wave is. A larger amplitude means a stronger, louder pressure change in the medium. Intensity measures how much energy the beam carries per unit area per unit time, so a beam with higher intensity delivers more energy to the tissue. These two together capture both the instantaneous strength (through amplitude) and the overall energy delivery (through intensity) of the beam.

Impedance is about how the medium resists the wave and affects reflection and transmission, not how strong the beam is. Wavelength is the distance between peaks and relates to frequency and speed rather than strength.