Explain some important applications of ultrasound in industry and medicine. 

Industrial applications of ultrasound in industry and medicine are: 

Industrial application: 

1. Ultrasonic detection of defects in metals: The construction of big structures like buildings, bridges, machines, scientific equipments, etc use metallic components. The cracks or holes inside the block reduce the strength of the structure. Such defects are not visible from outside. Ultrasonic waves can be used to detect such defects. Ultrasonic waves are allowed to pass through the metal block and detectors are used to detect the transmitted waves. If there is even a small defect, the ultrasound gets reflected back and does not reach the detector. This is how the presence of a flaw or defect is detected. 

Medical application:

1. Echocardiography: In this technique, ultrasonic waves are made to reflect from various parts of the heart to form the image of the heart.

2. Ultrasonography: Ultrasonic waves can be used to develop three dimensional photographs of different parts of the human body. This technique is called ultrasonography.

This technique is also used to monitor the growth of a foetus inside its mother’s womb. In this technique the ultrasonic waves travel through the tissues of the body and get reflected from a region where there is a change of tissue density. These waves are then converted into electrical signals that are used to generate images of the organ. These images are then displayed on a monitor or printed on a film.

3. In surgery: Ultrasonic waves are commonly used in cataract removal. Ultrasonic waves are used to grind small stones formed in the kidneys. These grinded grains are flushed with urine.