Final answer:
When a sonographer adjusts the maximum imaging depth in an ultrasound system, the pulse repetition period (PRP) and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) are affected, while the wavelength and frequency remain unchanged as they are intrinsic properties of the sound waves produced by the machine.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a sonographer adjusts the maximum imaging depth of an ultrasound system, they are indirectly changing the timing of the ultrasound pulses, which impacts two key factors:
- Pulse repetition period (PRP): This is the time between one ultrasound pulse and the next. Increasing the imaging depth will also increase PRP because each pulse has to travel a longer distance to reach the target and return, requiring more time between pulses.
- Pulse repetition frequency (PRF): This is the number of pulses that occur in one second. Since the PRP is directly related to PRF (PRF = 1/PRP), by increasing the imaging depth and thus the PRP, the PRF is lowered.
The wavelength (B) and frequency (D) of the sound waves produced by the ultrasound machine are fixed properties of the machine and are determined by the source's characteristics and the medium through which they travel. Adjusting the imaging depth does not change these properties.