What is the standard unit of intensity in sonography?

The standard unit of intensity in sonography is represented as Watt per square centimeter (Watt/cm²). Intensity, which refers to the power of ultrasound waves per unit area, is a crucial concept in sonography as it directly impacts the quality of the images produced and the safety concerning the exposure levels for patients.

Using Watt/cm² allows practitioners to express the intensity of ultrasound in a way that takes into account the area over which the power is distributed, providing a clear understanding of how focused or diffuse the ultrasound energy is. This measurement is particularly important because it gives insights into how much energy is being delivered to a particular area, which can affect both imaging and therapeutic applications of ultrasound.

In contrast, while Watt is a measure of power, it does not account for the area, making it less suitable for discussing intensity in this context. Similarly, the decibel is a logarithmic unit used to express ratios (such as power levels) but does not serve as a direct measure of intensity. Newton, which measures force, is unrelated to intensity in the context of sonography. Thus, Watt/cm² is the most appropriate choice when discussing intensity in the realm of ultrasound.