Question

Expectant mothers many times see their unborn child for the first time during an ultrasonic examination. In ultrasonic imaging, the blood flow and heartbeat of the child can be measured using an echolocation technique similar to that used by bats. For the purposes of these questions, please use 1500 m/s as the speed of sound in tissue. I need help with part B and C
To clearly see an image, the wavelength used must be at most 1/4 of the size of the object that is to be imaged. What frequency is needed to image a fetus at 8 weeks of gestation that is 1.6 cm long?
A. 380 kHz
B. 3.8 kHz
C. 85 kHz
D. 3.8 MHz

Answer 1

Answer:

380 kHz

Explanation:

The speed of sound is taken as 1500 m/s

The length of the fetus is 1.6 cm long

The condition is that the wavelength used must be at most 1/4 of the size of the object that is to be imaged.

For this 1.6 cm baby, the wavelength must not exceed

λ = $\frac{1}{4}$ of 1.6 cm = $\frac{1}{4}$ x 1.6 cm = 0.4 cm =

0.4 cm = 0.004 m   this is the wavelength of the required ultrasonic sound.

we know that

v = λf

where v is the speed of a wave

λ is the wavelength of the wave

f is the frequency of the wave

f = v/λ

substituting values, we have

f = 1500/0.004 = 375000 Hz

==> 375000/1000 = 375 kHz ≅ 380 kHz