What term describes the redirection of sound in several directions when it encounters a rough surface, also known as nonspecular reflections?

• A. Reflection angle
• B. Refraction
• C. Scattering
• D. Specular reflections

Answer: (C)

Scattering is the process where sound is redirected in many directions when it meets a rough surface. Unlike a smooth boundary that reflects sound as a single mirror-like ray—where the angle of incidence equals the angle of reflection—a rough interface disrupts that orderly reflection and distributes energy in multiple directions. Refraction would involve bending as sound enters a different medium, not a spread in directions at the boundary. The term scattering is the best description here because it specifically describes the diffuse, multi-directional return produced by surface irregularities and small tissue structures, which also contributes to the speckle texture seen in ultrasound images.