Sonography Canada Physics Core Practice Exam

A short pulse duration is characterized by shorter periods and fewer cycles. In ultrasound, pulse duration refers to the time it takes for one pulse of sound to occur, which is influenced by both the frequency of the sound wave and the number of cycles within that pulse.

When the pulse duration is short, it implies that the individual cycles within the pulse are also short, meaning that the period, which is the time for one complete cycle, is less. Additionally, fewer cycles within a pulse contribute to a shorter pulse duration because the overall length of the pulse is reduced.

This is important in sonography because shorter pulse durations allow for better resolution, facilitating the creation of clearer images. In contrast, longer pulse durations result from a greater number of cycles or longer periods, which would negatively impact the imaging quality. Thus, defining a short pulse duration with shorter periods and fewer cycles accurately captures the essence of how pulse duration impacts ultrasound technology.