Which parameters are determined by the sound source?

The parameters determined by the sound source primarily include frequency, period, amplitude, power, and intensity. Understanding each of these concepts is crucial when considering the characteristics of sound waves produced by an ultrasound transducer.

Frequency refers to the number of cycles of sound wave produced per second and is directly dependent on the sound source. A higher frequency means more cycles per second which results in improved resolution in imaging. The period is the reciprocal of frequency; it indicates the duration of one cycle of sound and is also influenced by the sound source.

Amplitude relates to the maximum displacement of particles in the medium caused by the sound wave, which in turn affects the loudness of the sound. Power, defined as the rate at which energy is transferred by a sound wave, is determined by the amplitude of the wave and is another parameter intrinsic to the sound source. Intensity, which represents the power per unit area, is also controlled by the amplitude of the wave.

While speed is a characteristic of sound traveling through a medium and is mainly determined by the properties of the medium (such as density and stiffness), the rest of the parameters listed touch on properties that originate from the sound source. Thus, option B encompasses all the relevant parameters that the sound source determines, making it the