To which factor is pulse duration inversely proportional?

Pulse duration is a key concept in ultrasonography and is defined as the time it takes for one pulse of sound to occur. It is related to the frequency of the waveform. Specifically, pulse duration is inversely proportional to frequency.

This inverse relationship arises because as the frequency of a sound wave increases, the number of cycles per second also increases. A higher frequency means that the same amount of time (which makes up the pulse duration) accommodates more cycles, resulting in shorter pulse durations. Conversely, lower frequencies result in longer pulse durations, as there are fewer cycles in the same time frame.

Understanding this relationship is essential in sonography, as it affects various aspects of imaging quality and resolution. The properties of sound waves directly influence the diagnostic capabilities of ultrasound systems, making comprehension of pulse duration and frequency fundamental to the practice.