Abstract
Ultrasonic waves are sound waves above the frequency normally detectable by the human ear, i.e., above about 20 kHz. The particles of matter transmitting a longitudinal wave move back and forward about mean positions in a direction parallel to the path of the wave. Alternate compressions and rarefactions in the transmitting material exist along the wave propagation direction. Such waves are possible in solids, liquids or gases. In solids, shear waves can also propagate. For these, the particles move perpendicularly to the direction of wave propagation. When material boundaries are present in the vicinity of a wave more complicated particle motions take place. Common examples are Rayleigh waves (at the boundary between a solid and air) and Lamb waves (in thin plates whose thickness is of the order of the wavelength of sound). The predominant particle displacement in these latter cases is perpendicular to the surface of the solid (see WAVE MOTION). Examples of the propagation velocities for these mode types are given in Table 1.
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Hutchison, T.S., McBride, S.L., Tousey, R. (1990). U. In: Besançon, R.M. (eds) The Encyclopedia of Physics. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6902-2_20
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4615-6902-2_20
Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA
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