Higher frequency has what effect on wavelength?

Higher frequency has what effect on wavelength?

• A. Shorter
• B. No change
• C. Depends on medium
• D. Longer

Answer: (A)

Wavelength and frequency are inversely related: λ = v / f. In a given medium, the speed of sound v is essentially fixed, so increasing the frequency f compresses the distance one cycle occupies in space. That means higher frequency produces a shorter wavelength.

For example, in soft tissue the speed is about 1540 m/s. At 1 MHz, the wavelength is roughly 1540 m/s ÷ 1,000,000 Hz ≈ 1.54 mm. At 3 MHz, it’s about 1540 ÷ 3,000,000 ≈ 0.51 mm. So higher frequency clearly shortens the wavelength.

This is why the correct statement is that higher frequency yields a shorter wavelength. As a side note, in ultrasound imaging this comes with a trade-off: higher frequency improves axial resolution but reduces penetration depth due to greater attenuation.