Question

What are ultrasonic waves and why can't most people hear them?

Answer 1

Ultrasonic waves are sound waves with frequencies higher than the upper audible limit of human hearing, typically above 20,000 Hz. Most people cannot hear ultrasonic waves because the human ear can only detect sound waves within a certain range of frequencies, typically between 20 Hz and 20,000 Hz. As a result, ultrasonic waves are outside the range of frequencies that most people can perceive, making them inaudible. However, some animals, such as dogs and bats, have the ability to hear ultrasonic frequencies.

Ultrasonic waves are commonly used in various applications, including medical imaging, cleaning, and sensing, due to their ability to penetrate solid objects and produce detailed images.