In the near field, the energy distribution can be described as what?

In the near field, the energy distribution can be described as what?

• A. Not uniform; high peaks and valleys
• B. Uniform distribution
• C. Zero energy
• D. Only at the surface

Answer: (A)

In the near field, the energy distribution isn’t even because the beam hasn’t settled into a single, smooth wave pattern yet. Different parts of the transducer’s surface emit waves that rise and fall in phase with each other, so they interfere. That interference creates alternating regions of higher energy (peaks) and lower energy (valleys) across the treatment area. In other words, energy density varies spatially rather than staying uniform. As you move farther from the transducer, the waves spread and interfere less destructively, and the pattern becomes more uniform in the far field. This nonuniformity in the near field is why hotspots can appear close to the transducer and diminish with depth.

In the near field, the energy distribution isn’t even because the beam hasn’t settled into a single, smooth wave pattern yet. Different parts of the transducer’s surface emit waves that rise and fall in phase with each other, so they interfere. That interference creates alternating regions of higher energy (peaks) and lower energy (valleys) across the treatment area. In other words, energy density varies spatially rather than staying uniform. As you move farther from the transducer, the waves spread and interfere less destructively, and the pattern becomes more uniform in the far field. This nonuniformity in the near field is why hotspots can appear close to the transducer and diminish with depth.