What happens to wavelength as frequency increases in ultrasound?

In ultrasound, wavelength is inversely related to frequency. As frequency increases, the wavelength of the sound wave decreases. This relationship is governed by the formula:

Wavelength = Speed of Sound / Frequency.

In this formula, the speed of sound in a given medium (such as soft tissue) remains constant. Therefore, if frequency increases, the wavelength must decrease to maintain the equality. This means that higher frequency ultrasound waves have shorter wavelengths, allowing for better resolution in imaging.

Understanding this relationship is crucial in sonography, as different frequencies and their corresponding wavelengths affect the depth of penetration and the resolution of the ultrasound images. Higher frequencies provide better detail but are less able to penetrate dense tissues, while lower frequencies penetrate more but with reduced resolution. Hence, the correct response indicates that as frequency increases in ultrasound, the wavelength decreases.