Date | May 2011 | Marks available | 2 | Reference code | 11M.3.HL.TZ2.19 |
Level | Higher level | Paper | Paper 3 | Time zone | Time zone 2 |
Command term | Calculate | Question number | 19 | Adapted from | N/A |
Question
This question is about ultrasound.
The diagram shows part of a cross-section through the leg of a patient who is undergoing an ultrasound scan.
Data for the speed c of ultrasound in different media are shown below, together with values for the acoustic impedance Z.
Use the data from the table to calculate a value for the density of bone.
The fraction F of the intensity of an ultrasound wave reflected at the boundary between two media having acoustic impedances
Z1 and Z2 is given by the following equation.
Determine the fraction F for the boundary between
(i) air and muscle.
(ii) gel and muscle.
Use your answers in (b) to explain the need for a gel on the patient’s skin.
Markscheme
use of Z = ρc;
7.8×106=ρ×4.1×103
ρ=1900kgm−3;
(i) ;
F≈1;
(ii) ;
F=0.0012;
for air-muscle boundary, very little ultrasound is transmitted;
gel permits almost complete transmission;