Which statement accurately reflects a difference between medical and industrial ultrasound?

The statement that industrial ultrasound commonly uses longitudinal and shear wave modes is accurate and highlights a key distinction between medical and industrial ultrasound applications.

In medical ultrasound, the predominant technique involves the use of longitudinal waves, particularly for imaging soft tissues and organs. This is due to the way sound waves propagate through biological tissues, where longitudinal waves are more suitable for creating detailed imaging of anatomical structures. Conversely, industrial ultrasound often employs both longitudinal and shear waves, especially in applications such as material testing and flaw detection. Shear waves can provide information about the internal structure of materials, which is essential for assessing properties like integrity and detecting defects or inconsistencies.

The differences in wave modes used between these two fields reflect their unique applications. Medical ultrasound prioritizes imaging capabilities that are achieved through longitudinal waves, while industrial applications leverage the characteristics of both wave types to gather comprehensive data about materials. This distinction underscores the specialized approaches and methodologies adopted in each field based on their specific needs and constraints.