Glossary entry (derived from question below)
English term or phrase:
low-energy ultrasounds vs. low-frequency ultrasounds
English answer:
They are the same
Added to glossary by
Luca Tutino
Feb 26, 2004 14:10
20 yrs ago
1 viewer *
English term
low-energy ultrasounds vs. low-frequency ultrasounds
English
Medical
Medical: Instruments
I would like to know wether the two can be considered the same thing from the medical application standpoint or indicate different applications/concepts.
Responses
| 5 | They are the same |
Attila Piróth
|
| 5 | different things |
Aquila Aurata
|
| 3 | vedi sotto |
maffy (X)
|
| 3 | not the same thing |
David Sirett
|
Responses
1 hr
Attila Piróth
France
France
Specializes in field
France
PhD, ATA-certified En-Hu, sci-tech-IT
Native in: Hungarian 
Works in: English to Hungarian, French to Hungarian, Hungarian to English, and 2 more.
Related KudoZ points
:
4
Selected
They are the same
In physics, these terms are used interchangeably.
The energy of the ultrasound varies as the square of its frequency, therefore low frequency implies low energy (and vice versa).
Note that the question of intensity is ignored: of course, a very high intensity wave packet of low-energy ultrasound can be very energetic - however, when compared to another wave packet of the same intensity and higher frequency, the latter is even more energetic.
When it comes to radiation, eg x-rays vs radio waves, low-energy goes hand in hand with low-frequency (although energy is proportional to frequency - not its square - here: E = h (Planck's constant) times nu (frequency)).
Therefore the two terms are synonymous.
The energy of the ultrasound varies as the square of its frequency, therefore low frequency implies low energy (and vice versa).
Note that the question of intensity is ignored: of course, a very high intensity wave packet of low-energy ultrasound can be very energetic - however, when compared to another wave packet of the same intensity and higher frequency, the latter is even more energetic.
When it comes to radiation, eg x-rays vs radio waves, low-energy goes hand in hand with low-frequency (although energy is proportional to frequency - not its square - here: E = h (Planck's constant) times nu (frequency)).
Therefore the two terms are synonymous.
Reference:
4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer.
Comment: "Thank you Attila! "
23 mins
Aquila Aurata
Accurate, Creative, Reliable
Native in: Hungarian 
Works in: Hungarian to English, English to Hungarian
different things
Energy is mainly a function of amplitude.
26 mins
26 mins
not the same thing
in general terms, since it is possible to pump out a lot of energy at low frequencies.
However, usage may be looser in the medical field, and the low-frequency ultrasound used may just happen to be also low-energy.
However, usage may be looser in the medical field, and the low-frequency ultrasound used may just happen to be also low-energy.
Discussion
Right: this is exactely what I am trying to find out. Can anybody help?