Use of Echoes and Free Vibrations

Vocabulary terms and definitions related to the applications of sound echoes in animal behavior, technology, medicine, and the fundamental properties of natural vibrations.

Sound ranging

The process of detecting obstacles in the dark by producing sounds and hearing their reflected echoes, commonly used by bats.

SONAR

An acronym for sound navigation and ranging, a system consisting of a transmitter and detector that uses ultrasonic waves to locate underwater objects like submarines or icebergs.

Echocardiography

A medical technique that uses reflected ultrasonic waves from various parts of the heart to form an image of the heart.

Ultrasonography

A medical diagnostic technique used to obtain images of internal organs such as the liver and kidneys, and to detect kidney stones.

Free (or Natural) Vibrations

The periodic vibrations of a body with a constant amplitude in the absence of any external force.

Natural period

The time period of a freely vibrating body.

Natural frequency

The frequency at which a body undergoes its free vibrations.

Vacuum

The only environment where true free vibrations of a body can occur because the absence of a medium eliminates resistance that would otherwise decrease the amplitude.