Higher frequency sound attenuates more and is less capable of traveling to substantial depths.

• A. Less attenuation and greater depth
• B. More attenuation and greater depth
• C. Less attenuation and less depth
• D. More attenuation and less capable of traveling to depths

Answer: (D)

The main idea is that attenuation goes up with frequency. Higher frequency sound loses more energy as it travels because of absorption (the sound energy being converted to heat) and scattering by the medium’s inhomogeneities. That extra loss means the signal weakens faster and can’t penetrate as deep, so it won’t reach substantial depths as effectively as lower-frequency sound. The option that states more attenuation and less capable of traveling to depths matches this relationship, making it the best choice. In practical terms, low-frequency sound travels farther and deeper with less attenuation, while high-frequency sound gives finer detail but shorter range.