In soft tissue, what is the approximate wavelength of sound at 1 MHz?

In soft tissue, what is the approximate wavelength of sound at 1 MHz?

• A. 0.77 mm
• B. 1.54 mm
• C. 3.08 mm
• D. 7.7 mm

Answer: (B)

Wavelength in a medium is determined by the speed of sound in that medium and the frequency: λ = c / f. In soft tissue, the speed is about c = 1540 m/s. At a frequency of 1 MHz (1,000,000 Hz), the wavelength is 1540 / 1,000,000 ≈ 0.00154 meters, which is 1.54 millimeters. So the approximate wavelength at 1 MHz in soft tissue is about 1.54 mm. (Doubling the frequency would halve the wavelength, illustrating how higher frequencies yield shorter wavelengths and finer detail.)

Wavelength in a medium is determined by the speed of sound in that medium and the frequency: λ = c / f. In soft tissue, the speed is about c = 1540 m/s. At a frequency of 1 MHz (1,000,000 Hz), the wavelength is 1540 / 1,000,000 ≈ 0.00154 meters, which is 1.54 millimeters. So the approximate wavelength at 1 MHz in soft tissue is about 1.54 mm. (Doubling the frequency would halve the wavelength, illustrating how higher frequencies yield shorter wavelengths and finer detail.)