What are ultrasonics?
Educational and Fun Activities
Written by Alexandra Stone
10 July 2024
đź•“ 4 min
When we think of sound, we usually think of the sounds we can hear. However, there is a range of sound waves that exist beyond human hearing—ultrasonics. These high-frequency sound waves have remarkable uses in science and technology, but what exactly are ultrasonics, and how do they work?
1. The Science of Ultrasonics
Ultrasonics refers to sound waves with frequencies higher than 20,000 Hz, which is beyond the range of human hearing. While humans can typically hear sounds between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz, ultrasonics can be detected by certain animals and used for various technical applications.
Some common uses of ultrasonics include:
- Medical imaging: Ultrasound technology uses high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body, helping doctors monitor pregnancies or diagnose medical conditions.
- Animal communication: Bats and dolphins use ultrasonic waves to navigate and communicate through echolocation, bouncing sound waves off objects to determine their surroundings.
- Cleaning: Ultrasonic cleaners use high-frequency sound waves to clean delicate items, like jewellery or electronic components, by creating tiny bubbles that lift dirt away without damaging the object.
2. The Importance of Ultrasonics
Ultrasonics plays a critical role in modern technology and scientific research. It’s used in everything from medical diagnostics to industrial cleaning and even in the detection of flaws in materials. The non-invasive nature of ultrasonic waves makes them ideal for safe medical procedures like ultrasound scans.
In nature, ultrasonic sound helps animals like bats find food and avoid obstacles, even in total darkness. The sound waves bounce off objects and return to the bat’s sensitive ears, allowing it to "see" its environment through sound. This is a great example of how animals use sound to survive and thrive in the wild.
To learn more about sound frequencies and their impact, check out our post What is Audio Frequency?.
3. Can Humans Use Ultrasonics?
Although humans can’t hear ultrasonic waves, we’ve found many ways to harness their power. One of the most well-known applications is in medical imaging. Ultrasound scans are common during pregnancy, allowing doctors and parents to see detailed images of the baby. Ultrasonic technology is also used in physical therapy, where it helps relieve muscle and joint pain by penetrating tissues with high-frequency sound waves.
Beyond medicine, ultrasonics is used in security systems, industrial testing, and even pest control, where ultrasonic sound waves are employed to repel insects and rodents without the need for chemicals.
4. Fun Activities with Sound
While ultrasonics are out of our hearing range, you can still explore sound with your children using fun at-home experiments. Try creating musical instruments using everyday materials like rubber bands, cups, and spoons to teach your child how sound waves work and how different frequencies can be produced.
Find more activities like this in our blog Crafting Musical Instruments with Everyday Materials to inspire your child's love for science and sound..
Final Thoughts
Ultrasonics might be too high-pitched for us to hear, but their impact on science and technology is profound. From medical diagnostics to animal navigation, these high-frequency sound waves play a vital role in our world.
If your child enjoys learning about the wonders of sound, why not sign them up for our Science of Sound holiday camps? These camps offer hands-on experiments and activities that make science both educational and fun. Discover more about our camps here.
