What is the term for the percentage of intensity that bounces back when a sound beam strikes a boundary?

The term for the percentage of intensity that bounces back when a sound beam strikes a boundary is known as the Intensity Reflection Coefficient (IRC). This concept is crucial in sonography as it quantifies how much of the ultrasound beam is reflected at an interface between two different media, such as soft tissue and bone or soft tissue and air. The intensity reflection coefficient is defined mathematically as the ratio of the reflected intensity to the incident intensity and is expressed as a percentage.

Understanding the IRC is important for interpreting ultrasound images and assessing the acoustic properties of various tissues. High reflection coefficients typically indicate a significant difference in acoustic impedance between materials, resulting in more sound being reflected rather than transmitted. In clinical practice, this knowledge helps sonographers make informed decisions about imaging techniques and adjust parameters accordingly to achieve optimal visualization of anatomical structures.