Sound speed = ultrasound speed?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers around the relationship between the speed of ultrasound and the speed of sound in air, particularly in the context of a lab report. Participants explore whether these speeds are identical and the factors that may influence them.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants assert that ultrasound is simply sound at a higher frequency, suggesting that its speed in air is the same as that of regular sound.
  • One participant notes that while the speed of sound is generally independent of frequency, there may be exceptions, particularly at low pressures.
  • A participant references a source to support the claim that ultrasound speed is identical to sound speed.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

There is no clear consensus; while some participants argue that the speeds are identical, others introduce conditions under which this may not hold true.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention potential limitations related to frequency dependence and low pressure effects, but these aspects remain unresolved.

bznm
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Hi, I'm doing a lab report and I need to know if ultrasound speed in the air is the same of sound speed in the air.
Thank you
 
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Ultrasound is just sound with a very high frequency such that we can't hear it. Therefore, yes, it is identical to any other form of sound, including its speed in air.
 
bznm said:
Hi, I'm doing a lab report and I need to know if ultrasound speed in the air is the same of sound speed in the air.
Thank you

boneh3ad said:
Ultrasound is just sound with a very high frequency such that we can't hear it. Therefore, yes, it is identical to any other form of sound, including its speed in air.

Lookes like boneh3ad is right: http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/sound/souspe.html

.
 
Speed of sound is very nearly independent of frequency, but not quite, (see A B Wood, A Textbook of Sound (Bell, London, 1946))

For your purposes I doubt it would make a difference. However for low pressures it might.
 
Thank you very much ;)
 

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