Ultraääniääntä

Ultraääniääntä, also known as ultrasound, refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing. This limit is typically considered to be around 20 kilohertz (20,000 Hz). While humans cannot hear these frequencies, many animals, such as dogs, bats, and dolphins, can perceive them.

The generation of ultrasound is achieved through devices called transducers, which vibrate at high frequencies. These vibrations are then transmitted through a medium, such as air or water, as waves. The applications of ultrasound are widespread and diverse. In medicine, it is a crucial diagnostic tool, allowing non-invasive imaging of internal organs and tissues, as well as therapeutic treatments. Diagnostic ultrasound uses the principle of echolocation, where sound waves are pulsed into the body and their reflections are detected and analyzed to create an image.

Beyond healthcare, ultrasound finds use in industrial settings for cleaning, welding, and material testing. It is also employed in pest control, with devices emitting high-frequency sounds designed to deter rodents and insects. The precise frequencies and intensities used vary depending on the specific application. The study and application of ultrasound fall under the field of acoustics.