• Level I Questions

Ultrasonic Testing Method

1. The indication on the instrument display that 6. Another name for Rayleigh waves is:
represents the far boundary of the material being
tested is called: a. shear waves
b. longitudinal waves
a. hash c. transverse waves
b. the initial pause d. surface waves
c. the main bang H.2-32
d. the back surface reflection
H.2-8 7. A material used between the face of a transducer and
the test surface to permit or improve the transmission
2. In immersion testing, the position of the transducer is of ultrasonic vibrations from the transducer to the
often varied to transmit sound into the test part at material being tested is called:
various angles to the front surface. Such a procedure
is referred to as: a. a wetting agent
b. a couplant
a. angulation c. an acoustic transmitter
b. dispersion d. a lubricant
c. reflection testing H.3-21

• 3.
d. refraction
F.45.10; H.3-12

The cable that connects the ultrasonic instrument to

the transducer is specially designed so that one
conductor is centered inside another. The technical
name for such a cable is:
8. The piezoelectric material in a transducer that
vibrates to produce ultrasonic waves is called a:

a.
b.
c.
backing material
Lucite™ wedge
crystal
d. couplant
a. BX cable H.2-7
b. conduit
c. coaxial cable 9. Ultrasonic testing of material where the transducer is
d. ultrasonic conductor cable-grade 20 in direct contact with the material being tested may
H.3-13, Fig. 3-9 be:

4. The process of comparing an instrument or device a. straight beam testing

with a standard is called: b. surface wave testing
c. angle beam testing
a. angulation d. all of the above
b. calibration H.4-7
c. attenuation
d. correlation 10. An advantage of using lithium sulfate in transducers
F.43.37 is that it:

5. Another name for a compressional wave is: a. is one of the most efficient generators of ultrasonic
energy
a. Lamb wave b. is one of the most efficient receivers of ultrasonic
b. shear wave energy

•
c. longitudinal wave c. is insoluble
d. transverse wave d. can withstand temperatures as high as 700 °C
F.43.9; H.2-5 (1260 OF)
F.44.3; H.3-14

7
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

14. The amount of beam divergence from a crystal is

Figure 1 primarily dependent on the:

a. type of test
b. tightness of crystal backing in the transducer
c. frequency and crystal size
d. pulse length
B.54; H.2-30; 1.240

15. When an ultrasonic beam passes through the interface

between two dissimilar materials at an angle, a new
angle of sound travel takes place in the second
material due to:

a. attenuation
11. The transducer shown in Figure 1 is used for: b. rarefaction
c. compression
a. surface wave testing d. refraction
b. angle beam testing F.43.15; H.2-19, 2-21; 1.236
c. immersion testing
d. straight beam testing
F.43.5; H.3-17 NOTE: Using Figure 2, answer questions 16 through
20.
12. The transducer that contains the thinnest piezoelectric
crystal is a: 16. Figure 2 illustrates a contact test on an 203 mm (8 in.)
aluminum block. A discontinuity is located 152 mm
a. I MHz transducer (6 in.) from the front surface. The display
b. 5 MHz transducer representation for this is shown to the right. What
c. 15 MHz transducer does indication A represent?

•
d. 25 MHz transducer
B.6; E.223; H.3-20 a. The initial pulse or front surface indication.
b. The first discontinuity indication.
13. A 25 MHz transducer would most likely be used c. The first back surface reflection.
during: d. None of the above.
E.231; F.43.31, F.47.2, 47.6; 1.245
a. straight beam contact testing
b. immersion testing
c. angle beam contact testing
d. surface wave contact testing
F.43.7; H.3-20

Figure 2
(No Sweep Delay is Being Used)
o 1 2 3 4 5

203mm 152mm
(8 in.) (6 in.)

8
o
A
1 2
B
3 4
C
5
D
6 7 8
E
9 10
•
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Levell
17. In Figure 2, indication B represents: 22. Figure 3 illustrates an immersion test of a 76 mm

•
(3 in.) block of aluminum with a discontinuity located
a. the initial pulse or front surface indication 51 mm (2 in.) below the surface. The display pattern
b. the first discontinuity indication is shown also. What does indication A represent?
c. the first back surface reflection Assume no sweep delay is used.
d. none of the above
E.231; F.47.2, 6, 43.31; 1.245 a. The first front surface indication.
b. The initial pulse.
18. In Figure 2, indication C represents the: c. The first discontinuity indication.
d. The first back surface reflection.
a. second back surface reflection F.43.31, 47.2-4; H.4-6, H.2-9; 1.245
b. first discontinuity indication
c. second discontinuity indication 23. In Figure 3, indication B represents the:
d. first back surface reflection
E.231; F.43.31, 47.2, 6; 1.245 a. first front surface indication
b. initial pulse
19. In Figure 2, indication D represents the: c. first back surface reflection
d. first discontinuity reflection
a. first discontinuity indication F.43.31, 47.2-4; H.4-6, 2-9; 1.245
b. second indication of the discontinuity
c. first back surface reflection 24. In Figure 3, indication C represents the:
d. second back surface reflection
E.231; F.43.31, 47.2, 6; 1.245 a. first front surface indication
b. first discontinuity indication
20. In Figure 2, indication E represents the: c. first back surface reflection
d. second front surface indication
a. first discontinuity indication F.43.31, 47.2-4; H.4-6, 2-9; 1.245
b. second discontinuity indication
c. first back surface reflection 25. In Figure 3, indication D represents the:

•
d. second back surface reflection
E.231; F.43.31, 47.2, 6; 1.245 a. first discontinuity indication
b. first back surface reflection
21. The velocity of surface waves is approximately c. second front surface indication
_ _ _ _ _ the velocity of shear waves in the same d. second discontinuity indication
material. F.43.31, 47.2-4; H.4-6, 2-9; 1.245

a. two times 26. In Figure 3, the distance between indications A and B

b. four times represents:
c. 112
d. 9/10 a. the distance from the front surface of the
F.43.8 aluminum block to the discontinuity
b. the distance from the front surface of the
NOTE: Using Figure 3, answer questions 22 through aluminum block to the back surface of the
26. aluminum block
c. the water distance from the transducer to the
aluminum block
Figure 3 d. none of the above
F.43.31, F.47.2-4; H.4-6, 2.9; 1.245
r-r 27. Under most circumstances, which of the following
25 mm (I in.) T I:::::l frequencies would result in the best resolving power?
-,-
76mm 151mm a. 1 MHz
(3 in.) --.. (2 in.)
Aluminum Water b.5MHz
c. lOMHz

~A ~B
LL
d.25MHz

•
F.43.5; H.3-20

9
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

28. Which of the following materials of the same alloy is 34. When the motion of the particles of a medium is
most likely to produce the greatest amount of sound parallel to the direction of propagation, the wave
attenuation over a given distance? being transmitted is called a:

a. A hand forging. a. longitudinal wave

b. A coarse-grained casting. b. shear wave
c. An extrusion. c. surface wave
d. The attenuation is equal in all materials. d. Lamb wave
B.377; E.221; F.48.10; H.2-28; 1.238 E.210

29. In contact testing, the entry surface indication is 35. When the motion of the particles of a medium is
sometimes referred to as: transverse to the direction of propagation, the wave
being transmitted is called a:
a. the initial pulse
b. the back reflection a. longitudinal wave
c. the skip distance b. shear wave
d. the scan path c. surface wave
H.2-8 d. Lamb wave
E.210
30. An ultrasonic instrument display pattern containing a
large number of low-level indications (often referred 36. "25 million cycles per second" can also be stated as:
to as "hash") could be caused by:
a. 25 kHz
a. a crack b.25OOkHz
b. a large inclusion c.25MHz
c. coarse-grained material d. 25 1lHz
d. a gas pocket H.2-S
E.221; F.47.14; 1.238
37. Moving a transducer over a test surface either
31. A test method employing two separate transducers on manually or automatically is referred to as:
opposite surfaces of the material being tested is
called: a. scanning
b. attenuating
a. contact testing c. angulating
b. surface wave testing d. resonating
c. through-transmission testing E.2S0
d. Lamb wave testing
H.4-9 38. A term used in ultrasonics to express the rate at which
sound waves pass through various substances is:
32. The number of complete waves that pass a given
point in a given period of time (usually 1 s) is a. frequency
referred to as the: b. velocity
c. wavelength
a. amplitude of a wave motion d. pulse length
b. pulse length of a wave motion F.43.9
c. frequency of a wave motion
d. wavelength of a wave motion 39. When a vertical indication has reached the maximum
H.2-S signal height which can be displayed or viewed on
the display of an ultrasonic instrument, the indication
33. The boundary between two different materials that is said to have reached its:
are in contact with each other is called:
a. distance amplitude height
a. a rarefactor b. absorption level
b. a refractor c. vertical level
c. an interface d. limit of resolution
d. a marker A.E-SOO
E.216

10
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
40. An ultrasonic testing technique in which the 45. In an A-scan presentation, the horizontal base line
transducer element is not parallel to the test surface is represents:

• called:

a.
b.
c.
d.
angle beam testing
immersion testing
contact testing
through-transmission testing
0.4-9
a.
b.
c.
d.
the amount of reflected ultrasonic sound energy
the distance traveled by the transducer
the elapsed time or distance
none of the above
F.43.29

46. In an A-scan presentation, the amplitude of vertical

NOTE: Using Figure 4, answer questions 41 through indications on the display represents the:
43.
a. amount of ultrasonic sound energy returning to the
transducer
b. distance traveled by the transducer
c. thickness of material being tested
d. elapsed time since the ultrasonic pulse was
generated
F.43.29
Water 47. Which of the following test frequencies would
generally provide the best penetration in a 30 cm
(12 in.) thick specimen of coarse-grained steel?

a. 1 MHz
b. 2.25 MHz
c.5MHz
Metal d. 10MHz
F.48.2

• 41. In Figure 4, angle I (8 1) is called:

a.
b.
c.
d.
the angle of incidence
the angle of reflection
the angle of refraction
none of the above
48. In a basic ultrasonic test pattern (A-scan) for contact
testing (assuming no sweep delay is used), the initial
pulse:

a. is the high indication on the extreme left side of

the display that represents the entry surface of the
F.43.1S inspected part
b. is the first pulse that occurs near the right side of
42. In Figure 4, angle 2 (82) is called: the display and represents the opposite boundary
of the inspected part
a. the angle of incidence c. is an indication that appears and disappears during
b. the angle of reflection screening
c. the angle of refraction d. is always the second pulse from the left on the
d. none of the above viewing display
F.43.1S 0.2-8; 1.242

43. In Figure 4, angle 3 (8 3) is called: 49. An ultrasonic test using a straight beam contact
transducer is being conducted through the thickness
a. the angle of incidence of a flat part such as a plate. This test should detect:
b. the angle of reflection
c. the angle of refraction a. laminar-type flaws with major dimensions parallel
d. none of the above to the rolled surface
F.43.1S b. transverse-type flaws with major dimensions at
right angles to the rolled surface
44. Most commercial ultrasonic testing is accomplished c. radial flaws with major dimensions along length
using frequencies between: but radially oriented to the rolled surface

•
d. none of the above
a. 1 and 25 kHz D.380; F.48.11; 0.7-43
b. 1 and I 000 kHz
c. 0.2 and 25 MHz
d. 15 and 100 MHz
F.43.1; 0.3-20

11

i.
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
50. In ultrasonic testing, a liquid coupling medium 54. On the area amplitude ultrasonic standard test blocks,
between the crystal surface and the part surface is the flat bottom holes in the blocks are:
necessary because:
a. all of the same diameter
a. lubricant is required to minimize wear on the b. different in diameter, increasing by 0.4 mm
crystal surface (0.016 in.) increments from the No. "}" block to
b. an air interface between the crystal surface and the the No. "8" block
part surface would almost completely reflect the c. largest in the No. "1" block and smallest in the
ultrasonic vibrations No. "8" block
c. the crystal will not vibrate if placed directly in d. drilled to different depths from the front surface of
contact with the surface of the part being inspected the test block
d. the liquid is necessary to complete the electrical A.E-217; 0.3-20,5-4
circuit in the transducer
A.E-214; F.48.3; 0.3-21 55. In immersion testing, verification that the transducer
is normal to a flat entry surface is indicated by:
51. Entry surface resolution is a characteristic of an
ultrasonic testing system which defines its ability to: a. maximum reflection from the entry surface
b. elimination of water multiples
a. detect discontinuities oriented in a direction c. proper wavelength
parallel to the ultrasonic beam d. maximum amplitude of the initial pulse
b. detect discontinuities located in the center of a F.46.17
forging containing a fine metallurgic structure
c. detect minute surface scratches 56. A piezoelectric material can:
d. detect discontinuities located just beneath the entry
surface in the part being tested a. convert a longitudinal beam to a shear wave
A.E-317; F.43.1; 0.3-13 b. convert an mechanical energy to electrical energy
c. create ionization in a test specimen
52. During ultrasonic testing by the immersion method, it d. produce sound waves in a coaxial cable
is frequently necessary to angulate the transducer F.44.1
when a discontinuity is located in order to:
57. Sound waves of a frequency beyond the hearing
a. avoid a large number of back reflections that could range of the human ear are referred to as ultrasonic
interfere with a normal test pattern waves or vibrations, and the term embraces all
b. obtain a maximum response if the discontinuity is vibrational waves of frequency greater than
not originally oriented perpendicular to the approximately:
ultrasonic beam
c. obtain the maximum number of entry surface a. 2 kHz
reflections b.200kHz
d. obtain a discontinuity indication of the same height c. 20000 Hz
as the indication from the flat bottom hole in a d.2MHz
reference block D.1; 0.2-5
A.E-214; F.46.17, 46.19, 47.13
58. The velocity of sound waves is primarily dependent
53. All other factors being equal, the mode of vibration on:
that has the greatest velocity is the:
a. the pulse length
a. shear wave b. the angle of incidence
b. transverse wave c. the material, material thickness, and UT frequency
c. surface wave (time between signals on the display)
d. longitudinal wave d. none of the above
D.37; F.43.8; 0.2-18 B.367; D.38

59. A disadvantage of using natural quartz in a transducer

is that:

a. it will dissolve in water

b. it is the least effective generator of ultrasonic
energy of all commonly used materials
c. it is mechanically and electrically unstable
d. it easily loses it operating characteristics as it ages
F.44.2; 0.3-14

12
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
60. An advantage of using a ceramic transducer in 66. The angle of incidence is:
transducers is that it:

• a. is one of the most efficient generators of ultrasonic

energy
b. is one of the most efficient receivers of ultrasonic
energy
c. has a very low mechanical impedance
d. can withstand temperatures as high as 700 °C
a.
b.
c.
d.
greater than the angle of reflection
less than the angle of reflection
equal to the angle of reflection
not related to the angle of reflection
H.A-l

67. On many ultrasonic testing instruments, an operator

(1260 OF) conducting an immersion test can remove that portion
F.44.2; H.3-14 of the display presentation that represents water
distance by adjusting a:
61. The primary purpose of reference blocks is to:
a. pulse length control
a. aid the operator in obtaining maximum back b. reject control
reflections c. sweep delay control
b. obtain the greatest sensitivity possible from an d. sweep length control
instrument H.2-4
c. obtain a common reproducible signal
d. none of the above 68. "100 000 cycles per second" can be written:
H.3-22
a. 0.1 kHz
62. When testing by the surface wave method, patches of b.lOkHz
oil or dirt on the surface may: c. 100kHz
d.looMHz
a. block the progress of all sound H.2-4
b. attenuate the sound
c. have no effect on the test Figure 5
d. cause both an attenuation of sound and indications

•
on the screen
D.34

63. In immersion testing, the most commonly used

couplant is:

a. water
b. oil
c. glycerine
d. alcohol
E.222; H.3-22
69. Figure 5 is an illustration of a typical:
64. The piezoelectric material in the transducer:
a. A-scan presentation
a. converts electrical energy into sound b. B-scan presentation
b. converts electrical energy into mechanical energy c. C-scan presentation
c. eliminates the signal-to-noise energy d. D-scan presentation
d. produces high speed electrons in metals F.43.30
H.2-'

65. The shortest wavelength pulse is produced by a

frequency of:

a. 1 MHz
b.5MHz
c. lOMHz
d. 25 MHz
H.2-16

• 13
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

74. The gradual loss of sonic energy as the ultrasonic

Figure 6 vibrations travel through the material is referred to as:

a. reflection
b. refraction
c. reproducibility
d. attenuation
F.43.22; H.2-26; 1.238

75. A term used to describe numerous small indications

on the instrument display resulting from test part
structure, numerous small discontinuities, or both is
often referred to as:

70. Figure 6 is an illustration of a typical: a. multiple back reflections

b. mUltiple front reflections
a. A-scan presentation c. hash
b. B-scan presentation d. resonance
c. C-scan presentation H.4-33; 1.246
d. D-scan presentation
E.251; F.46.5; 1.242 76. When testing a plate, increasing the frequency of an
ultrasonic longitudinal wave results in:

a. an increase in its velocity

Figure 7 b. a decrease in its velocity
c. no change in its velocity
d. a reversal in its velocity
E.214

77. Ultrasonic waves transmitted into and received from

the test material in the form of repetitive bursts of •
acoustic energy is called: •

a. pulse echo testing

b. continuous wave testing
c. resonance testing
d. none of the above
71. Figure 7 is an illustration of a typical: F.43.28; 1.241

a. A-scan presentation 78. Metal blocks, which contain one or more drilled holes
b. B-scan presentation to simulate discontinuities, are called:
c. C-scan presentation
d. D-scan presentation a. scrubbers
E.251; F.46.4; 1.242 b. crystal collimators
c. single plane angulators
72. A transducer with a frequency greater than 10 MHz d. reference blocks
will most likely be used during: E.273; 1.262

a. a straight beam contact test of aluminum ingot 79. If the major dimensions of a discontinuity in a
b. an angle beam contact test of a steel pipe 152 mm (6 in.) thick aluminum plate lie parallel to
c. a surface wave contact test of a metallic plate the entry surface at a depth of76 mm (3 in.), it will
d. an immersion test be best detected by:
F.46.8; H.2-14
a. a straight beam test
73. The reference holes in standard aluminum area b. an angle beam test
amplitude ultrasonic test blocks contain: c. a surface wave test
d. a Lamb wave test
a. flat bottom holes F.48.1l
b.
c.
concave-surface holes
convex-surface holes f
d. conical-shaped holes
A.E-127; H.5-4

14
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
80. The presence of a discontinuity will not produce a 85. Which of the following discontinuities located

•
specific discontinuity indication on the ultrasonic 152 rnm (6 in.) from the entry surface results in the
instrument display when using the: largest display indication if all factors except
discontinuity surface condition and orientation are the
a. straight beam testing method same?
b. surface wave testing method
c. angle beam testing method a. A 2 mm (0.08 in.) diameter flat-surfaced
d. through-transmission testing method discontinuity whose major face is at an angle of
E.232; H.4-9; 1.249 75 degrees from the direction of sound beam
propagation.
81. The depth of a discontinuity cannot be determined b. A 2 mm (0.08 in.) diameter rough-surfaced
when using the: discontinuity whose major face is at an angle of
75 degrees from the direction of sound beam
a. straight beam testing method propagation.
b. through-transmission testing method c. A 2 mm (0.08 in.) diameter flat-surfaced
c. angle beam testing method discontinuity whose major face is perpendicular to
d. immersion testing method the direction of sound beam propagation.
E.249; 1.249 d. A 2 mm (0.08 in.) diameter rough-surfaced
discontinuity whose major face is parallel to the
82. When inspecting coarse-grained material, a sound direction of sound beam propagation.
wave is most easily scattered by the grain structure by F.45.22
a frequency of:
86. Transducers constructed with a plastic wedge or
a. 1 MHz standoff between the transducer element and the test
b. 2.25 MHz piece are commonly used for:
c. 5 MHz
d.lOMHz a. for angle beam contact testing
F.48.30 b. for immersion testing
c. to eliminate the need for a couplant

•
83. The thickest crystal is contained in: d. to reduce the speed of electrons
H.3-16,3-17
a. a I MHz transducer
b. a 5 MHz transducer 87. A transducer containing three or more individual
c. a 15 MHz transducer transducer elements is often referred to as:
d. a 25 MHz transducer
H.3-20 a. a dual transducer
b. a sandwich transducer
84. When performing a surface wave test, indications c. a mosaic transducer
may result from: d. none of the above
F.44.l1
a. improper frequency
b. oil on the surface 88. Sound can be focused by means of special curved
c. a surface discontinuity adapters located in front or the transducer element.
d. the acoustical velocity of aluminum These adapters are referred to as:
F.45.11
a. scrubbers
b. acoustic lenses
c. angle beam adapters
d. single plane adapters
F.44.6; H.3-17

89. A test method in which the parts to be inspected are

placed in a water bath or some other liquid couplant
is called:

a. contact testing

•
b. immersion testing
c. surface wave testing
d. through-transmission testing
F.46.1; H.4-5

15
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

90. A separate time base line imposed on the viewing

display of some ultrasonic testing instruments that Figure 8
permits measurement of distances is often referred to
as:
Immersed
a. an initial pulse
Transducer
b. a time/distance line
c. a marker
d. a sweep line
H.2-14, 3-6, 4-20; 1.242

91. A term used to describe the ability of an ultrasonic

testing system to distinguish between the entry
surface response and the response of discontinuities
near the entry surface is:

a. sensitivity
b. penetration
c. segregation
d. resolution
F.44.S, F.46.8; H.3-13
95. In transmitting energy into the part shown in
92. The phenomenon whereby an ultrasonic wave Figure 8, the ultrasonic beam will:
changes direction when the wave crosses a boundary
between materials with different velocities is called: a. diverge (spread out) through the part
b. converge (focus in to a point) through the part
a. refraction c. transmit straight through the part
b. reflection d. not enter the part
c. penetration H.2-38
d. rarefaction
E.217 96. Ultrasonic waves that travel along the surface of a
material and whose particle motion is elliptical are
93. In a test where the transducer is not perpendicular to called:
the inspection surface, the angle of incidence is equal
to: a. shear waves
b. transverse waves
a. the angle of refraction c. longitudinal waves
b. the angle of reflection d. Rayleigh waves
c. the shear wave angle F.4S.11
d. half the shear wave angle
E.217 97. The interference field near the face of a transducer is
often referred to as the:
94. The product of the acoustic velocity of sound in a
material and the density of the material is the factor a. Fresnel zone
that determines the amount of reflection or b. acoustic impedance
transmission of ultrasonic energy when it reaches an c. exponential field
interface. This term is called: d. phasing zone
F.44.12
a. acoustic impedance
b. velocity 98. When the incident angle is chosen to be between the
c. wavelength first and second critical angles, the ultrasonic wave
d. penetration mode within the part will be a:
E.21S
a. longitudinal wave
b. shear wave
c. surface wave
d. Lamb wave
H.2-2S
f
16
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
99. The fonnula used to calculate the angle of refraction 105. A circuit that generates a burst of alternating voltage
within a material is called: that is applied to the sending transducer is called a:

• a.
b.
c.
d.
Fresnel's law
Fraunhofer's law
Snell's law
Lamb's law
H.2-24
a.
b.
c.
d.
pulser
receiver-amplifier
damping
cIock
1.242

100. In a material with a given velocity, when frequency is 106. A circuit that coordinates electronic operation of the
increased, the wavelength will: entire ultrasonic instrument system is called:

a. not be affected a. damping

b. increase b. a receiver-amplifier
c. decrease c. a clock
d. double d. a power supply
F.43.9 1.242

101. Circuits that electronically amplify return signals 107. A plan view display or recording of a part under
from the receiving transducer and often modify the examination is called:
signals into a fonn suitable for display are called:
a. a C-scan display
a. pulser circuits b. an A-scan display
b. marker circuits c. an X-axis plot
c. timer circuits d. a strip chart recording
d. receiver-amplifier circuits F.43.34
1.242
108. Ultrasonic data, which is presented in a fonn
102. The most common type of data display used for representative of the cross section of the test

•
ultrasonic examination of welds is: specimen, is called:

a. an A-scan display a. an A-scan presentation

b. a B-scan display b. a B-scan presentation
c. a C-scan display c. a C-scan presentation
d. an X-Y plot d. an X-Y plot
F.43.29 H.3-8

103. The display that plots signal amplitude versus time is 109. What type of ultrasonic examination uses wheel-type
called: transducers that eliminate the use of a tank?

a. an A-scan display a. through-transmission testing

b. a B-scan display b. contact testing
c. a C-scan display c. resonance testing
d. none of the above d. immersion testing
1.241 1.258

104. A circuit that modifies the return signal from the 110. In addition to other functions, a transducer
receiving transducer into a fonn suitable for display manipulator in a mechanical immersion-scanning unit
on an oscilloscope or other output device is called a: pennits:

a. pulser a. use of the through-transmission technique

b. receiver-amplifier b. use of high scanning speeds
c. cIock c. detection of obliquely-oriented discontinuities
d. sweep d. utilization of less skilled operators
1.242 D.391

•
17
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

111. A type of data presentation most likely to be used 118. In straight beam pulse echo testing, a discontinuity
with a high speed automatic scanning system is: with a rough reflecting surface perpendicular to the
incident wave has what effect on the detected signal
a. an A-scan presentation in comparison to a smooth flat bottom hole of the
b. a velocity versus amplitude plot same size?
c. a C-scan presentation
d. a plot of echo height versus depth a. It increases the detected signal.
H.3-7 b. It decreases the detected signal.
c. It has no effect on the detected signal.
112. The component in a conventional immersion system d. It decreases the width of the pulse of the detected
that spans the width of the immersion tank is called: signal.
F.4S.22
a. an articulator
b. a bridge 119. Ultrasonic vibrations can be propagated only in the
c. a manipulator longitudinal mode in:
d. a search tube
H.3-12 a. machine oil
b. aluminum
113. The component in an ultrasonic immersion system c. Ice
that is used to adjust and maintain a known d. beryllium
transducer angle is called: H.2-6

a. a carriage 120. If the velocity of a longitudinal mode wave in a given

b. a manipulator homogeneous material is 0.625 cm/ns at 13 mm
c. a search tube (0.5 in.) below the surface, what is the velocity at
d. an index system 51 mm (2 in.) below the surface?
F.46.1
a. 1/4 the velocity at 13 mm (0.5 in.)
114. An amplitude type gate is necessary for all: b. liz the velocity at 13 mm (0.5 in.)
c. the same as the velocity at 13 mm (0.5 in.)
a. shear wave examinations d. none of the above
b. longitudinal wave examinations H.2-17
c. automatic examinations
d. manual examinations 121. If a 5 MHz transducer is substituted for a 2.25 MHz
F.43.3S transducer, the effect on the wavelength of a
longitudinal mode wave produced in the test
115. When a C-scan recording is used to produce a specimen is that:
permanent record of an ultrasonic test, the
information displayed is typically the discontinuity's: a. the wavelength would be longer
b. the wavelength would remain constant
a. depth and size c. the wavelength would be shorter
b. depth, orientation, and size d. the wavelength would vary directly with the
c. location and depth acoustic impedance
d. location and size (plan view) H.2-S
H.3-8
122. What can cause nonrelevant indications on the
116. Rough entry surface conditions can result in: cathode ray tube?

a. a loss of echo amplitude from discontinuities a. contoured surfaces

b. an increase in the width of the front surface echo b. edge effects
c. both a and b c. surface conditions
d. none of the above d. all of the above
F.4S.1S F.47.11

117. As the grain size increases in a material, its principal

effect in ultrasonic testing is on the:

a. velocity of sound
h.
c.
attenuation
acoustic impedance
f
d. angle of refraction
F.4S.3

18
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

123. The proper interpretation and evaluation of the 129. An A-scan display, which shows a signal both above
presented defect signals are essential to any and below the sweep line, is called:

•
nondestructive test. A common method for the
estimation of defect size is the use of: a. a video display
b. a RF display
a. a double transducer test c. an audio display
b. a piezoelectric standard d. a frequency modulated display
c. mode conversion B.857; D.178
d. a reference standard
F.47.31 130. A B-scan display shows the relative:

124. Another name for Fresnel zone is: a. distance a discontinuity is from the transducer and
its through-dimension thickness
a. Fraunhofer zone b. distance a discontinuity is from the transducer and
b. near field its length in the direction of transducer travel
c. far field c. cross sectional area of a discontinuity above a
d. Torrid zone predetermined amplitude
F.44.12 d. none of the above
F.43.33
125. Attenuation is a:
131. Surface (Rayleigh) waves traveling on the top face of
a. test display characteristic a block:
b. test material parameter
c. transducer characteristic a. are not reflected from a sharp edge corner
d. form of testing b. are reflected from a sharp edge corner
F.43.22 c. travel through the sharp edge corner and are
reflected from the lower edge
126. For discontinuity geometries other than flat, the echo d. are absorbed by a sharp edge corner
amplitude is usually from that observed H.2-32

•
for a flat defect, of similar orientation perpendicular
to the sound beams. 132. Surface (Rayleigh) waves are more highly attenuated
by:
a. identical
b. increased a. a curved surface
c. decreased b. a heavy couplant
d. elongated c. a thin couplant
F.45.24 d. both a and b
H.2-29
127. To evaluate discontinuities that are oriented at an
angle to the entry surface so that the sound beam 133. The velocity of sound in a material is dependent upon
strikes the plane of the discontinuity at right angles, the:
the operator must:
a. frequency of the wave
a. change the frequency b. wavelength
b. grind the surface c. material properties
c. angulate the transducer d. vibration cycle
d. increase the gain F.43.16
F.47.13
134. To vary or change the wavelength of sound being
128. The pulser circuit in an ultrasonic instrument is used used to test a part, change the:
to:
a. sound wave frequency
a. control the horizontal and vertical sweep b. diameter of the transducer
b. activate the transducer c. electrical pulse voltage
c. control transducer timing between transmit and d. pulse repetition rate
sweep D.12
d. generate markers that appear on horizontal sweep

• F.43.38

19
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I

135. Ultrasonic vibrations are commonly used to: 142. If frequency is increased, wavelength:

a. examine materials for discontinuities a. decreases (becomes shorter)

b. examine materials for thickness b. increases (becomes longer)
c. examine materials for mechanical properties c. remain the same but velocity increases
d. all of the above d. remains the same but velocity decreases
D.2 F.43.9; H.3-19

136. Which of the following has the longest Fresnel zone? 143. The variable in distance amplitude calibration block
construction is the:
a. 13 mm (0.5 in.) diameter 1 MHz
b. 13 mm (0.5 in.) diameter 2.25 MHz a. drilled hole size
c. 28.5 mm (1.125 in.) diameter 1 MHz b. drilled hole point angle
d. 38 mm (1.5 in.) diameter 2 MHz c. metal distance above the drilled hole
B.197 d. angle of the drilled hole to block longitudinal axis
H.5-7; 1.264
137. When contact testing, if the ultrasonic instrument is
set with an excessively high pulse repetition 144. When setting up a distance amplitude correction
frequency: curve using 3 flat bottom holes, sometimes the hole
closest to the transducer gives less of a response than
a. the screen trace becomes too light to see one or both of the other two. This could be caused
b. the time-base line becomes distorted by:
c. the initial pulse disappears
d. interference of UT signals and undesirable a. a hole that is too large
fluctuations in signal amplitude result b. near field effects
B.I06 c. impedance mismatch
d. the acoustic velocity
138. The advantages of immersion testing include: 1.239,263

a. increased inspection speed 145. Most ferrous and nonferrous welds may be
b. the ability to control and direct sound beams ultrasonically tested using a frequency range of:
c. adaptability for automated scanning
d. all of the above a. 25-100 kHz
1.258 b. 200-500 kHz
c. 1-2.25 MHz
139. Longitudinal wave velocity in water is approximately d. 3-6 MHz
1/4 the velocity in aluminum or steel. Therefore, the e. 1O-20MHz
minimum water path should be: F.48.1

a. four times the test piece thickness 146. The product of the material density and the velocity
b. Ih the test piece thickness of sound within that material is referred to as:
c. 1/4 the test piece thickness plus 6 mm (0.25 in.)
d. none of the above a. acoustic impedance
H.4-5; 1.258 b. near field
c. acoustic attenuation
140. In immersion testing, a wetting agent is added to the d. ultrasonic beam distribution
water to: e. vibrational index
F.45.1; H.2-35
a. adjust the viscosity
b. help eliminate the formation of air bubbles 147. A straight beam contact transducer consists of:
c. prevent cloudiness
d. none of the above a. a case, a crystal, a mount, and backing
H.3-22 b. a case, a crystal, backing, and a plastic wedge
c. a case, a crystal, backing, and acoustic lenses
141. The formula used to determine the fundamental d. a case, a crystal, a mount, backing, a plastic
resonant frequency is: wedge, and acoustic lenses
F.43.6
a. F= V/T
b. F= V12T
c. F= TIV
d. F= VT
F.43.36, F.50.1

20
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level I
148. In immersion testing, to remove the second water 154. Refracted energy assumes a new direction of
reflection from between the entry surface signal and propagation when the is changed.

•
the first back reflection, you should:
a. principle angle
a. increase the repetition rate b. reflected angle
b. decrease the frequency c. critical angle
c. decrease the sweep length d. incident angle
d. increase the water path F.43.15
F.46.10
155. The loss of energy as it propagates through material
149. For a given incident angle, as the frequency of the is the result of beam:
transducer increases, the refracted angle:
a. interference
a. increases b. attenuation
b. decreases c. absorption
c. stays the same d. reflection
d. cannot be determined F.43.22
H.2-24
156. In selecting a suitable couplant, which of the
150. Both longitudinal and shear waves may be following characteristics would not affect the
simultaneously generated in a second medium when selection?
the angle of incidence is:
a. Mode of propagation desired.
a. between normal and the first critical angle b. Material surface finish and temperature.
b. between the first and second critical angles c. Operating frequency of the transducer.
c. past the second critical angle d. Chemical properties of the couplant.
d. only at the second critical angle 1.179
H.2-25
157. Excessive surface roughness of the material being

•
151. In immersion testing, when the sound beam strikes a tested can cause:
concave surface, the sound beam tends to:
a. a loss of echo amplitude from discontinuities
a. converge within the material
b. diverge b. impedance mismatch
c. stay the same c. increased acoustic velocity
d. mode convert d. increased back surface response
H.2-38 F.45.15

152. Penetration of ultrasonic waves in a material is 158. Reference or calibration standards are used for:
normally the function of test frequency used. The
greatest depth of penetration is provided by a a. determining phase shift analysis
frequency of: b. providing a method for standardizing the test
system
a. 1 MHz c. determining tensile strength
b. 2.25 MHz d. measuring vibrations
c. 5 MHz H.5-3
d. IOMHz
H.3-21 159. The change in direction of an ultrasonic beam when it
passes from one material to another material in which
153. Generally speaking, certain piezoelectric materials elasticity and density differ is called:
exhibit better properties than others. The following
material that is considered to be the most efficient a. refraction
receiver of ultrasonic energy is: b. rarefaction
c. angulation
a. quartz d. reflection
b. ceramic H.2-21
c. barium titanate

• d. lithium sulfate
H.3-14

21
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Levell
160. If a discontinuity is oriented at an angle other than
90 degrees to the sound beam, the results may be a: Figure 9
a. loss of signal linearity
b. loss or lack of signal reflected from the
discontinuity
c. focusing of the sound beam
d. loss of interference phenomena
H.4-33

161. A device that transforms electrical pulses into

mechanical and vice versa utilizes:

a. Snell's law
b. piezoelectric principles
c. mode conversion principles
d. none of the above
H.2-7

162. Whenever an ultrasonic incident angle is set at

5 degrees from normal:
165. When a longitudinal sound wave strikes a water-steel
a. the refracted wave is mode converted interface at an angle of incidence of 15°,
b. the refracted wave is the same mode as the (see Figure 9):
incident wave
c. the refracted wave has two components, one of a. all the sound energy is reflected back into the
which will be the same mode as the incident wave water at an angle of 15°
d. it is impossible to determine mode(s) of refracted b. part of the sound energy is reflected at 15° and part
wave without more information is refracted into the steel at an angle of less than
C.3-28 15°
c. part of the sound energy is reflected at 15° and part
163. If a discontinuity is located in the Fresnel or near is refracted along the water-steel interface
field region of a sound beam: d. part of the sound energy is reflected at 15° and part
is refracted into the steel at an angle greater than
a. the larger the discontinuity, the larger the 15°
amplitude of the reflected signal C.3-30
b. the closer to the surface the discontinuity is
located, the larger will be the amplitude of
reflected signal
c. in immersion testing, the amplitude of signal
increases as the water path decreases
d. in immersion testing, the amplitude of reflected
signal may increase or decrease as water path
decreases
C.2-12

164. If a transducer is vibrating at a frequency and

injecting ultrasonic energy through water into a steel
specimen:

a. the sound wavelength is the same in both the water

and the steel
b. the sound frequency in the water is less than the
sound frequency in steel
c. the sound wavelength is not the same in both the
water and the steel
d. the sound frequency in the water is greater than the
sound frequency in steel
C.1-53

22
• Level I Answers
Ultrasonic Testing Method
I. d 37. a 73. a 109. d
2. a 38. b 74. d 110. e
3. e 39. e 75. e 11l. e
4. b 40. a 76. e 112. b
5. e 4l. a 77. a 113. b
6. d 42. b 78. d 114. e
7. b 43. e 79. a 115. d
8. e 44. e 80. d 116. e
9. d 45. e 8l. b 117. b
10. b 46. a 82. d 118. b
II. d 47. a 83. a 119. a
12. d 48. a 84. e 120. e
13. b 49. a 85. e 12l. e
14. e 50. b 86. a 122. d

•
15. d 5l. d 87. e 123. d
16. a 52. b 88. b 124. b
17. b 53. d 89. b 125. b
18. d 54. b 90. e 126. e
19. b 55. a 9l. d 127. e
20. d 56. b 92. a 128. b
2l. d 57. e 93. b 129. b
22. b 58. e 94. a 130. b
23. a 59. b 95. a 13l. b
24. b 60. a 96. d 132. b
25. b 6l. e 97. a 133. e
26. e 62. d 98. b 134. a
27. d 63. a 99. e 135. d
28. b 64. b 100. e 136. d
29. a 65. d 101. d 137. d
30. e 66. e 102. a 138. d
3l. e 67. e 103. a 139. e
32. e 68. e 104. b 140. b
33. e 69. a 105. a 14l. b
34. a 70. e 106. e 142. a

•
35. b 7l. b 107. a 143. e
36. e 72. d 108. b 144. b

23
145. c lSI. a 157. a 163. d
146. a 152. a 158. b 164. c
147. a 153. d 159. a 165. d
148. d 154. d 160. b
149. c 155. b 16I. b
150. a 156. c 162. c

24
• Level II Questions
Ultrasonic Testing Method

1. The wave mode that has mUltiple or varying wave 6. Acoustic energy propagates in different modes.
velocities is: Which of the following represent a mode?

a. longitudinal waves a. A longitudinal wave.

b. shear waves b. A shear wave.
c. transverse waves c. A surface wave.
d. Lamb waves d. All of the above.
F.43.9 H.2-S

2. Which of the following would be considered 7. The simple experiment where a stick in a glass of
application(s) of ultrasonic techniques? water appears disjointed at the water surface
illustrates the phenomenon of:
a. Determination of a material's elastic modulus.
b. Study of a material's metallurgical structure. a. reflection
c. Measurement of a material's thickness. b. magnification
d. All of the above. c. refraction
F.43.2 d. diffraction

•
1.232
3. The only significant sound wave mode that travels
through a liquid is a: 8. The crystal thickness and transducer frequency are
related. The thinner the crystal:
a. shear wave
b. longitudinal wave a. the lower the frequency
c. surface wave b. the higher the frequency
d. Rayleigh wave c. there is no appreciable affect
F.4S.6 d. none of the above
H.3-20
4. The acoustic impedance of a material is used to
determine the: 9. The random distribution of crystallographic direction
in alloys with large crystalline structures is a factor in
a. angle of refraction at an interface determining:
b. attenuation within the material
c. relative amounts of sound energy coupled through a. acoustic noise levels
and reflected at an interface b. selection of test frequency
d. beam spread within the material c. scattering of sound
F.43.12 d. all of the above
F.4S.6
5. When angle beam contact testing a test piece,
increasing the incident angle until the second critical 10. The length of the zone adjacent to a transducer in
angle is reached results in: which fluctuations in sound pressure occur is mostly
affected by:
a. total reflection of a surface wave
b. 45 degree refraction of the shear wave a. the frequency of the transducer
c. production of a surface wave b. the diameter of the transducer
d. none of the above c. the length of transducer cable

•
H.2-27 d. both a and b
D.191

25
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

II. The differences in signals received from identical 15. In the far field of a uniform ultrasonic beam, sound
reflectors at different material distances from a intensity is the beam centerline.
transducer may be caused by:
a. minimum at
a. material attenuation b. maximum at
b.
c.
beam divergence
near field effects
c. maximum throughout twice the angle (sin y= &)
where C is acoustic velocity, D is crystal diameter,
d. all of the above and f is frequency at
B.197-198 d. not related to orientation of
B.52-53, 198; H.2-31
12. It is possible for a discontinuity smaller than the
transducer to produce indications of fluctuating 16. Which of the following may result in a long narrow
amplitude as the transducer is moved laterally if rod if the beam divergence results in a reflection from
testing is being performed in the: a side of the test piece before the sound wave reaches
the back surface?
a. Fraunhofer zone
b. near field a. Multiple indications before the first back
c. Snell field reflection.
d. shadow zone b. Indications from multiple surface reflections.
B.197 c. Conversion from the longitudinal mode to shear
mode.
13. In immersion testing, the near field effects of a d. Loss of front surface indications.
transducer may be eliminated by: H.2-39
a. increasing transducer frequency 17. Where does beam divergence occur?
b. using a larger diameter transducer
c. using an appropriate water path a. near field
d. using a focused transducer b. far field
F.44.14 c. at the crystal
d. none of the above
14. In Figure I, assuming a uniform beam pattern, what
relationship would you expect to exist between the
amplitudes of the reflected laminar signals at
positions A and B?
1.239

18. As frequency increases in ultrasonic testing, the angle

of beam divergence of a given diameter crystal:
"
~

a. 12 dB difference a. decreases
b. equal amplitudes b. remains unchanged
c. 2 to I c. increases
d. 3 to I d. varies uniformly through each wavelength
B.197 H.2-31

Figure 1
A B

,,
,, 14--- Plate
,

Laminar Reflector

26
27
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

30. At an interface between two different materials, an 36. Which circuit triggers the pulser and sweep circuits in
impedance difference results in: an A-scan display?

a. reflection of the entire incident energy at the a. receiver-amplifier

interface b. power supply
b. absorption of sound c. clock
c. division of sound energy into transmitted and d. damping
reflected modes 1.242
d. none of the above
F.45.9 37. On an A-scan display, the "dead zone," refers to:

31. When using focused transducers, nonsymmetry in a a. the distance contained within the near field
propagated sound beam may be caused by: b. the area outside the beam spread
c. the distance covered by the front surface pulse
a. backing material variations width and recovery time
b. lens centering or misalignment d. the area between the near field and the far field
c. porosity in lenses 1.267
d. all of the above
H.6-13 38. On an A-scan display, what represents the intensity of
a reflected beam?
32. Ultrasonic wheel units may be used for which of the
following types of examination? a. echo pulse width
b. horizontal screen location
a. straight or longitudinal examination c. signal brightness
b. angle beam or shear wave examination d. signal amplitude
c. surface wave or Rayleigh wave examination F.43.29
d. all of the above
H.4-7 39. Of the following scan types, which one can be used to
produce a recording of flaw areas superimposed over
33. During straight beam testing, test specimens with a plan view of the test piece?
non-parallel front and back surfaces can cause:
a. A-scan
a. partial or total loss of back reflection b. B-scan
b. no loss in back reflection c. C-scan
c. a widened (broad) back reflection indication d. D-scan
d. a focused (narrow) back reflection indication 1.242
H.2-37
40. In immersion testing in a small tank, a manually
34. In the immersion technique, the distance between the operated manipulator is used to:
face of the transducer and the test surface (water
path) is usually adjusted so that the time required to a. set the proper water path
send the sound beam through the water: b. set the proper transducer angle
c. set the proper index function
a. is equal to the time required for the sound to travel d. complete both a and b
through the test piece F.46.1
b. is greater than the time required for the sound to
travel through the test piece 41. In straight (normal) beam contact testing, a reduction
c. is less than the time required for the sound to travel in the back surface reflection amplitude could
through the test piece indicate:
d. none of the above
H.4-6 a. inadequate coupling
b. a flaw which is not normal to the beam
35. In a B-scan display, the length of a screen indication c. a near surface defect that cannot be resolved from
from a discontinuity is related to: the main bang (initial pulse)
d. all of the above
a. a discontinuity's thickness as measured parallel to F.43.41
the ultrasonic beam
b. the discontinuity's length in the direction of the
transducer travel
c. both a and b
d. none of the above
B.201; G.358

28
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
45. A special scanning device with the transducer
Figure 2 mounted in a tire-like container filled with couplant is
commonly called:
o 1 2 3 4 5
a. a rotating scanner
b. an axial scanner
c. a wheel transducer
d. a circular scanner
dB 0.4-6
- f- -- -I- -- -
- f- .,-- - -- -
46. Which best describes a typical display of a crack
- r- -- -- --
--
- whose major surface is perpendicular to the ultrasonic
-f- -- -
beam?

a. a broad indication
W-L IAA H#JJ WJill llW ltu JVi llU. IIII b. a sharp indication
c. the indication will not show due to improper
o 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
orientation
A B C D E d. a broad indication with high amplitude
0.4-22

42. A 152 mm (6 in.) diameter rod is being inspected for 47. A primary purpose of a reference standard is:
centerline cracks. The A-scan presentation for one
complete path through the rod is as shown in a. to provide a guide for adjusting instrument
Figure 2. The alarm gate should: controls to reveal discontinuities that are
considered harmful to the end use of the product

(.
a. be used between points A and E b. to give the technician a tool for determining exact
b. be used at point D only discontinuity size
c. be used between points Band D c. to provide assurance that all discontinuities smaller
d. not be used for this application than a certain specified reference reflector are
0.3-6 capable of being detected by the test
d. to provide a standard reflector which exactly
43. In an automatic scanning immersion unit, the bridge simulates natural discontinuities of a critical size
or carriage serves to: 1.262

a. support the manipulator and scanner tube and to 48. Compensation for the variation in echo height related
move it about transversely and longitudinally to variations in discontinuity depth in the test material
b. control the angular and transverse positioning of is known as:
the scanner tube
c. control the vertical and angular positioning of the a. transfer
scanner tube b. attenuation
d. raise and lower the transducer c. distance amplitude correction
H.3-12 d. interpretation
1.265
44. When adjusting the flaw locating rule for a shear
wave weld inspection, the zero point on the rule must 49. Which of the following is a reference reflector that is
coincide with the: not dependent on beam angle?

a. sound beam exit point of the wedge a. a flat bottom hole

b. point directly over the flaw b. a vee notch
c. wheel transducer c. a side drilled hole which is parallel to the plate
d. circular scanner surface and perpendicular to the sound path
0.4-7 d. a disc-shaped laminar reflector
A.E-l64

• 29
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

50. During a straight beam ultrasonic test, a discontinuity 55. Using a pulse echo technique, if the major plane of a
indication is detected that is small in amplitude flat discontinuity is oriented at some angle other than
compared to the loss in amplitude of back reflection. perpendicular to the direction of sound propagation,
The orientation of this discontinuity is probably: the result may be:

a. parallel to the test surface a. loss of signal linearity

b. perpendicular to the sound beam b. loss or lack of a received discontinuity echo
c. parallel to the sound beam c. focusing of the sound beam
d. at an angle to the test surface d. loss of interference phenomena
H.2-40 H.2-40

51. A discontinuity is located having an orientation such 56. As transducer diameter decreases, the beam spread:
that its long axis is parallel to the sound beam. The
indication from such a discontinuity will be: a. decreases
b. remains the same
a. large in proportion to the length of the c. increases
discontinuity d. becomes conical in shape
b. small in proportion to the length of the H.2-30
discontinuity
c. representative of the length of the discontinuity 57. A set of standard reference blocks with the same
d. such that complete loss of back reflection will geometrical configuration and dimensions other than
result the size of the calibration reflectors, e.g., flat bottom
H.2-40 holes, is called a set of:

52. Gas discontinuities are reduced to flat discs or other a. distance amplitude standards
shapes parallel to the surface by: b. area amplitude standards
c. variable frequency blocks
a. rolling d. beam spread measuring blocks
b. machining H.5-5
c. casting
d. welding 58. The angle at which 90 degrees refraction of a
F.45.22 . longitudinal sound wave is reached is called:

53. In which zone does the amplitude of an indication a. the angle of incidence
from a given discontinuity diminish exponentially as b. the first critical angle
the distance increases? c. the angle of maximum reflection
d. the second critical angle
a. The far field zone. H.2-25
b. The near field zone.
c. The dead zone. 59. The control of voltage supplied to the vertical
d. The Fresnel zone. deflection plates of the instrument display in an
H.2-41 A-scan UT setup is performed by the:

54. A smooth flat discontinuity whose major plane is not a. sweep generator
perpendicular to the direction of sound propagation b. pulser
may be indicated by: c. amplifier circuit
d. clock timer
a. an echo amplitude comparable in magnitude to the E.238
back surface reflection
b. a complete loss of back surface reflection 60. Attenuation is a difficult quantity to measure
c. an echo amplitude larger in magnitude than the accurately, particularly in solid materials, at the test
back surface reflection frequencies normally used. The overall result usually
d. all of the above observed includes other loss mechanisms which can
H.2-40 include:

a. beam spread
b. couplant mismatch
c. test piece geometry
d. all of the above
F.43.23

30
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
61. The vertical linear range of a test instrument may be
determined by obtaining ultrasonic responses from: Figure 3
a. a set of distance amplitude reference blocks
b. steel balls located at several different water path
distances
c. a set of area amplitude reference blocks
d. all of the above
H.S-S

62. ~arge grains in a metallic test specimen usually result

m:

a. a decrease or loss of back surface reflection

b. large "hash" or noise indications
c. a decrease in penetration
d. all of the above
H.4-19 67. In Figure 3, transducer C is being used to check:

63. The total energy losses occurring in all materials is a. distance calibration
called: b. resolution
c. sensitivity calibration
a. attenuation d. verification of wedge angle
b. scatter 1.267
c. beam spread
d. interface 68. In Figure 3, transducer D is being used to check:
B.377
a. sensitivity calibration
64. Delay-tip (stand-off) type contact transducers are b. distance calibration

•
primarily used for: c. resolution
d. verification of wedge angle
a. defect detection 1.266
b. sound wave characterization
c. thickness measurement or flaw detection in thin 69. When the incident angle is chosen to be between the
materials first and second critical angles, the ultrasonic wave
d. attenuation measurements generated within the part will be:
1.258
a. longitudinal
65. Acoustical lenses are commonly used for contour b. shear
correction. When scanning the inside of a pipe c. surface
section by the immersion method, use a: d. Lamb
H.2-23
a. focused cup lens
b. convex lens 70. In Figure 4, transducer B is being used to check:
c. concave lens
d. variable pitch lens a. the verification of wedge angle
F.44.9 b. resolution
c. sensitivity calibration
66. In Figure 3, transducer A is being used to establish: d. distance calibration
1.266
a. verification of wedge angle
b. sensitivity calibration 71. The angle at which 90 degrees refraction of the shear
c. resolution wave mode occurs is called the:
d. an index point
1.266 a. first critical angle
b. second critical angle
c. third critical angle

•
d. angle of reflection
H.2-25

31
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

75. For aluminum and steel, the longitudinal velocity is

Figure 4 approximately the shear velocity.

a. equal to
b. twice
c. half of
d. four times
H.2-22

76. Water travel distance for immersion inspections

should be:

a. such that the second front reflection does not

appear between the first front and back reflections
b. exactly 76 mm (3 in.)
c. less than 76 mm (3 in.)
d. always equal to the thickness of the material being
72. In a water immersion test, ultrasonic energy is inspected
transmitted into steel at an incident angle of F.46.10
14 degrees. What is the angle of the refracted shear
wave within the material? 77. The electronic circuitry that allows selection and
Vs = 3.2 x lOS cm/s processing of only those signals relating to
Vw =1.5 x lOS cm/s discontinuities that occur in specific zones of a part is
(Trigonometry Tables Required) called:

a. 45 degrees a. an electronic gate

b. 23 degrees b. an electronic attenuator
c. 31 degrees c. a distance amplitude correction circuit
d. 13 degrees d. a fixed marker
H.2-24 H.3-6

73. If you were requested to design a plastic shoe to 78. When conducting a contact ultrasonic test, the "hash"
generate a Rayleigh wave in aluminum, what would or irregular signals that appear in the CRT display of
be the incident angle of the ultrasonic energy? the area being inspected could be caused by:

VA = 3.1 x lOS cm/s a. fine grains in the structure

Vp = 2.6 x lOS cm/s b. dirt in the water couplant
(Trigonometry Tables Required) c. coarse grains in the structure
d. a thick but tapered back surface
a. 37 degrees F.4S.30
b. 57 degrees
c. 75 degrees 79. In inspecting a 102 mm (4 in.) diameter threaded steel
d. 48 degrees cylinder for radial cracks extending from the root of
H.2-24 the threads, it would be preferable to transmit:

74. Compute the wavelength of ultrasonic energy in lead a. shear waves at an angle to the threads
at 1 MHz. b. longitudinal waves from the end of the cylinder
and perpendicular to the direction of the thread
VL =2.1 x lOS cm/s roots
V=A.xF c. surface waves perpendicular to the thread roots
d. shear waves around the circumference of the
a. 0.21 cm cylinder
b. 21 cm D.347
c. 0.48 cm
d. 4.8 x 10-5 cm
H.2-5

32

t
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
80. In an immersion inspection of raw material, the water 86. The angular position of the reflecting surface of a
travel distance should be:

•
planar discontinuity with respect to the entry surface
IS referred to as:
a. exactly 76 nun (3 in.)
b. equal to 76 mm (3 in.) ±13 nun (±O.5 in.) a. the angle of incidence
c. equal to the water travel distance used in setting up b. the angle of refraction
on the reference standards c. the orientation of the discontinuity
d. equal to the thickness of a material d. none of the above
F.46.26 H.2-40
81. The angle formed by an ultrasonic wave as it enters a 87. A short burst of alternating electrical energy is called:
medium of different velocity than the one from which
it came and a line drawn perpendicular to the a. a continuous wave
interface between the two media is called the angle b. a peaked DC voltage
of: c. an ultrasonic wave
d. a pulse
a. incidence H.3-3
b. refraction 88. In ultrasonic testing, the time duration of the
c. rarefaction transmitted pulse is referred to as:
d. reflection
H.2-21 a. the pulse length or pulse width
b. the pulse amplitude
82. The process of adjusting an instrument or device to a c. the pulse shape
reference standard is referred to as: d. none of the above
H.3-4,3-5
a. angulation
b. scanning 89. The phenomenon by which a wave strikes a boundary
c. correcting for distance amplitude variations and changes the direction of its propagation within

C.
d. calibration the same medium is referred to as:
H.5-3
a. divergence
83. An electron tube in which a beam of electrons from b. impedance
the cathode is used to reproduce an image on a c. angulation
display at the end of the tube is referred to as: d. reflection
E.215
a. an amplifier tube
b. a pulser tube 90. The change in direction of an ultrasonic beam when it
c. a cathode ray tube passes from one medium to another whose velocity
d. a sweep tube differs from that of the first medium is called:
H.2-10
a. refraction
84. A grouping of a number of crystals in one transducer, b. rarefaction
with all contact surfaces in the same plane, and c. angulation
vibrating in phase with each other to act as a single d. reflection
transducer is called a: D.23

a. focusing crystal 91. The coated inside surface of the large end of a
b. crystal mosaic cathode ray tube which becomes luminous when
c. scrubber struck by an electron beam is called:
d. single plane manipulator
H.3-13 a. an electron gun
b. an electron amplifier
85. The angle of reflection is: c. an ultrasonic instrument display
d. an electron counter
a. equal to the angle of incidence H.2-10
b. dependent on the couplant used
c. dependent on the frequency used
d. equal to the angle of refraction
E.215

33
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
92. Which of the following modes of vibration exhibits 97. The speed with which ultrasonic waves travel through
the shortest wavelength at a given frequency and in a a material is known as its:
given material?
a. velocity
a. A longitudinal wave. b. pulse repetition rate
b. A compression wave. c. pulse recovery rate
c. A shear wave. d. ultrasonic response
d. A surface wave. F.43.9, B.2-5
E.210, E.214
98. A substance that reduces the surface tension of a
93. In general, shear waves are more sensitive to small liquid is referred to as:
discontinuities than longitudinal waves for a given
frequency and in a given material because: a. a couplant
b. an ultrasonic dampener
a. the wavelength of shear waves is shorter than the c. a wetting agent
wavelength of longitudinal waves d. none of the above
b. shear waves are not as easily dispersed in the F.47.31
material
c. the direction of particle vibration for shear waves 99. The ultrasonic transducers most commonly used for
is more sensitive to discontinuities discontinuity testing utilize:
d. the wavelength of shear waves is longer than the
wavelength oflongitudinal waves a. magnetostriction principles
D.296-304; F.4S.21 b. piezoelectric principles
c. mode conversion principles
94. In general, which of the following modes of vibration d. none of the above
would have the greatest penetrating power in a B.66-68; D.1l7; F.43.4
coarse-grained material if the frequency of the waves
are the same? 100. Mechanical and electrical stability, insolubility in
liquids, and resistance to aging are three advantages
a. Longitudinal waves. of transducers made of:
b. Shear waves.
c. Transverse waves. a. lithium sulfate
d. All of the above modes would have the same b. barium titanate
penetrating power c. quartz
F.4S.S d. Rochelle salts
F.44.2; 1.254
95. A testing technique in which the crystal or transducer
is parallel to the test surface and ultrasonic waves 101. The formula is referred to as:
enter the material being testing in a direction
perpendicular to the test surface is: a. the acoustical impedance ratio formula
b. the phase conversion formula
a. straight beam testing c. the Fresnel zone formula
b. angle beam testing d. Snell's law
c. surface wave testing F.43.15; 1.166
d. none of the above
B.4-8; 1.233 102. The formula is used to
determine:
96. The distance from a given point on an ultrasonic
wave to the riext corresponding point is referred to as: a. angular relationships
b. phase velocities
a. frequency c. amount of reflected sound energy
b. wavelength d. acoustic impedance
c. velocity F.43.15; 1.236
d. pulse length
B.2-5; 1.233 103. The amount of energy reflected from a discontinuity
is dependent on:

a. the size of the discontinuity

b. the orientation of the discontinuity
c. the type of discontinuity
d. all of the above
F.4S.24

34
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
104. If an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through an 110. What kind of waves travel at a velocity slightly less

•
interface of two materials in which the first material than shear waves and their mode of propagation is
has a higher acoustic impedance value but the same both longitudinal and transverse with respect to the
velocity value as the second material, the angle of surface?
refraction will be:
a. Rayleigh waves.
a. greater than the angle of incidence b. Transverse waves.
b. less than the angle of incidence c. L-waves.
c. the same as the angle of incidence d. Longitudinal waves.
d. beyond the critical angle H.2-20; 1.234
F.43.15; 1.236
III. Which ultrasonic test frequency would probably
105. Which of the following frequencies would probably provide the best penetration in a 30 cm (12 in.) thick
result in the greatest ultrasonic attenuation losses? specimen of coarse-grained steel?

a. I MHz a. I MHz
b. 2.25 MHz b. 2.25 MHz
c. lOMHz c.5MHz
d. 25 MHz d.lOMHz
F.43.26,48.30 H.3-21

106. The product of the sound velocity and the density of a 112. During immersion testing of an ASTM Ultrasonic
material is known as the: Standard Reference Block, a B-scan presentation
system will show a:
a. refraction value of the material
b. acoustic impedance of the material a. "plan" view of the block, showing the area and
c. elastic constant of the material position of the hole bottom as seen from the entry

(..
d. Poisson's ratio of the material surface
F.43.12; 1.235 b. basic test pattern showing the height of indication
from the hold bottom and its location in depth
107. The amplifier range over which the unsaturated signal from the entry surface
response increases in amplitude in proportion to the c. cross section of the reference block, showing the
discontinuity surface area is the: top and bottom surfaces of the block and the
location of the hole bottom in the block
a. sensitivity range d. none of the above
b. vertical linearity range F.47.3
c. selectivity range
d. horizontal linearity range lB. Properties of shear or transverse waves used for
H.5-5 ultrasonic testing include:

108. When inspecting a rolled or forged surface with a thin a. particle motion normal to propagation direction,
scale that is generally tightly adhering to the part, and a propagation velocity that is about 1/2 the
before testing the part: longitudinal wave velocity in the same material
b. exceptionally high sensitivity due to low
a. clean the surface of loose scale attenuation resulting from longer wavelengths
b. have all scale removed when propagating through water
c. rough machine the surface c. high coupling efficiency because shear waves are
d. caustic etch the surface less sensitive to surface variables when traveling
F.47.23-25 from a coupling liquid to the part
d. none of the above statements apply to shear waves
109. The angle of reflection of an ultrasonic beam at an H.2-18; 1.233
aluminum-water interface is:
114. One of the most common applications of ultrasonic
a. 0.256 times the angle of incidence tests employing shear waves is for the:
b. approximately 112 the angle of incidence
c. equal to the angle of incidence a. detection of discontinuities in welds, tube, and

•
d. approximately 4 times the angle of incidence pipe
F.43.14-15 b. determination of elastic properties of metallic
products
c. detection of laminar discontinuities in heavy plate
d. measurement of thickness of thin plate
A.ASTM E-I64, Para. 1, 2; H.4-11; 1.270

35
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
115. Significant errors in ultrasonic thickness 121. In a basic pulse echo ultrasonic instrument, the
measurement can occur if: component that coordinates the action and timing of
other components is called a:
a. the test frequency is varying at a constant rate
b. the velocity of propagation deviates substantially a. display unit
from an assumed constant value for a given b. receiver
material c. marker circuit or range marker circuit
c. water is employed as a couplant between the d. synchronizer, clock, or timer
transducer and the part being measured F.43.28
d. none of the above should cause errors
F .43.27, 50.5 122. In a basic pulse echo ultrasonic instrument, the
component that produces the voltage that activates
116. Generally, the best ultrasonic testing method for the transducer is called:
detecting discontinuities oriented along the fusion
zone in a welded plate is: a. an amplifier
b. a receiver
a. an angle beam contact method using surface waves c. a pulser
b. a contact test using a straight longitudinal wave d. a synchronizer
c. an immersion test using surface waves 0.3-3
d. an angle beam method using shear waves
F.48.12; 1.270 123. In a basic pulse echo ultrasonic instrument, the
component that produces the time base line is called
117. An ultrasonic testing instrument that displays pulses a:
representing the magnitude of reflected ultrasound as
a function of time or depth of metal is said to contain: a. sweep circuit
b. receiver
a. a continuous wave display c. pulser
b. an A-scan presentation d. synchronizer
c. a B-scan presentation 0.2-11
d. a C-scan presentation
F.43.29; 0.3-6,3-7; 1.241 124. In a basic pulse echo ultrasonic instrument, the
component that produces visible signals on the CRT
118. At a water-steel interface the angle of incidence in which are used to measure distance is called a:
water is 7 degrees. The principal mode of vibration
that exists in the steel is: a. sweep circuit
b. marker circuit
a. longitudinal c. receiver circuit
b. shear d. synchronizer
c. both a and b F.43.30
d. surface
0.2-26 125. Most basic pulse echo ultrasonic instruments use:

119. In a liquid medium, the only mode of vibration that a. automatic read-out equipment
can exist is: b. an A-scan presentation
c. a B-scan presentation
a. longitudinal d. a C-scan presentation
b. shear F.43.29; 1.240
c. both a and b
d. surface 126. The instrument displays a plan view of the part
0.2-21; 1.233 outline and defects when using:

120. In an ultrasonic instrument, the number of pulses a. automatic read-out equipment

produced by an instrument in a given period of time b. an A-scan presentation
is known as the: c. a B-scan presentation
d. a C-scan presentation
a. pulse length of the instrument F.43.34; 1.243
b. pulse recovery time
c. frequency
d. pulse repetition rate
F.43.29; 1.252

36
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
127. The incident angles at which 90 degrees refraction of 133. In contact testing, shear waves can be induced in the
longitudinal and shear waves occurs are called: test material by:

• a.
b.
c.
d.
the normal angles of incidence
the critical angles
the angles of maximum reflection
none of the above
E.217; 1.236
a. placing an X-cut crystal directly on the surface of
the materials, and coupling through a film of oil
b. using two transducers on opposite sides of the test
specimen
c. placing a spherical acoustic lens on the face of the
transducer
128. Compression waves whose particle displacement is d. using a transducer mounted on a plastic wedge so
parallel to the direction of propagation are called: that sound enters the part at an angle
H.2-20
a. longitudinal waves
b. shear waves 134. As frequency increases in ultrasonic testing, the angle
c. Lamb waves of beam divergence of a given diameter crystal:
d. Rayleigh waves
H.2-17; 1.233 a. decreases
b. remains unchanged
129. The mode of vibration that is quickly damped out c. increases
when testing by the immersion method is: d. varies uniformly through each wavelength
E.214; F,48.3; 1.240
a. longitudinal waves
b. shear waves 135. Which of the following is not an advantage of contact
c. transverse waves ultrasonic transducers (probes) adapted with lucite
d. surface waves shoes?
H.2-23; 1.234
a. Most of the crystal wear is eliminated.
130. The motion of particles in a shear wave is: b. Adaptation to curved surfaces is permitted.
c. Sensitivity is increased.
a. parallel to the direction of propagation of the d. Ultrasound is allowed to enter a part's surface at
ultrasonic beam oblique angles.
b. transverse to the direction of beam propagation F.48.1-48.24
c. limited to the material surface and elliptical in
motion 136. The velocity of sound is the lowest in:
d. polarized in a plane at 45 degrees to the direction
of beam propagation a. aIr
H.2-18; 1.233 b. water
c. aluminum
131. An ultrasonic longitudinal wave travels in aluminum d. plastic
with a velocity of 635 000 cmls and has a frequency H.2-18; 1.235
of I MHz. The wavelength of this ultrasonic wave is:
137. A longitudinal ultrasonic wave is transmitted from
a. 6.35 mm (0.25 in.) water into steel at an angle of 5 degrees from the
b. 78 mm (3.1 in.) normal. In such a case, the refracted angle of the
c. 1.9 m (6.35 ft) transverse wave is:
d. 30000 A
F.43.9; 1.233 a. less than the refracted angle of the longitudinal
wave
132. The refraction angle of longitudinal ultrasonic waves b. equal to the refracted angle of the longitudinal
passing from water into a metallic material at angles wave
other than normal to the interface is primarily a c. greater than the refracted angle of the longitudinal
function of: wave
d. not present at all
a. the impedance ratio (r = Zv,ZM) of water to metal H.2-20; 1.236
b. the relative velocities of sound in water and metal
c. the frequency of the ultrasonic beam 138. The velocity of longitudinal waves is the highest in:
d. the density ratio of water to metal

• H.2-24; 1.236

37
a. water
b. air
c. aluminum
d. plastic
H.2-18; 1.235
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

139. In steel, the velocity of sound is greatest in: 145. The ratio between the wave speed in one material and
the wave speed in a second material is called:
a. longitudinal waves
b. shear waves a. the acoustic impedance of the interface
c. surface waves b. Young's modulus
d. none of the above - sound velocity is identical in c. Poisson's ratio
all modes, in a given material d. the index of refraction
H.2-18; 1.235 D.48

140. The acoustic impedance is: 146. The expansion and contraction of a magnetic material
under the influence of a changing magnetic field is
a. used to calculate the angle of reflection referred to as:
b. the product of the density of the material and the
velocity of sound in the material a. piezoelectricity
c. found by Snell's law b. refraction
d. used to determine resonance values c. magnetostriction
H.2-35; 1.235 d. rarefaction
D.150-153
141. Thin sheet may be inspected with the ultrasonic wave
directed normal to the surface by observing: 147. The ratio of stress to strain in a material within the
elastic limit is called:
a. the amplitude of the front surface reflection
b. the multiple reflection pattern a. Young's modulus
c. all front surface reflections b. the modulus of elasticity
d. none of the above c. both a and b
D.391-399 d. the index of refraction
F.43.10
142. A diagram in which the entire circuit stage or sections
are shown by geometric figures and the path of the 148. A point, line, or surface of a vibrating body marked
signal or energy by lines and/or arrows is called a: by absolute or relative freedom from vibratory
motion is referred to as:
a. schematic diagram
b. blueprint a. a node
c. block diagram b. an antinode
d. none of the above c. rarefaction
H.2-16 d. compression
B.856; D.9; F.51.2
143. A hole produced during the solidification of metal
due to escaping gases is called: 149. The factor that determines the amount of reflection at
the interface of two dissimilar materials is:
a. a burst
b. a cold shut a. the index of rarefaction
c. flaking h. the frequency of the ultrasonic wave
d. a blow hole c. Young's modulus
1.514 d. the acoustic impedance
H.2-36
144. A discontinuity that occurs during the casting of
molten metal which may be caused by the splashing, 150. A quartz crystal cut so that its major faces are parallel
surging, interrupted pouring, or the meeting of two to the Z and Yaxes and perpendicular to the X axis is
streams of metal coming from different directions is called:
called:
a. a Y-cut crystal
a. a burst b. an X-cut crystal
b. a cold shut c. a Z-cut crystal
c. flaking d. a ZY-cut crystal
d. a blow hole H.3-14
H.7-10

38
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
151. The equation describing wavelength in terms of 156. The most commonly used method of producing shear

•
velocity and frequency is: waves in a test part when inspecting by the
immersion method is:
a. wavelength = velocity x frequency
b. wavelength =z (frequency x velocity) a. by transmitting longitudinal waves into a part in a
c. wavelength =velocity + frequency direction perpendicular to its front surface
d. wavelength =frequency + velocity b. by using two crystals vibrating at different
H.2-5 frequencies
c. by using a Y-cut quartz crystal
152. When an ultrasonic beam reaches the interface of two d. by angulating the search tube to the proper angle
dissimilar materials it is: 1.258

a. reflected 157. Beam divergence is a function of the dimensions of

b. refracted the crystal and the wavelength of the beam
c. mode converted transmitted through a medium, and it:
d. all of the above
H.2-21 a. increases if the frequency or crystal diameter
decreases
153. When inspecting aluminum by the immersion method b. decreases if the frequency or crystal diameter
using water for a couplant, the following information decreases
is known: c. increases if the frequency increases and crystal
velocity of sound in water = 1.49 x lOS cm/s, diameter decreases
velocity of longitudinal waves in aluminum = d. decreases if the frequency is increases and crystal
6.32 x lOS cm/s, and angle of incidence = diameter decreases
5 degrees. H.2-30
The angle of refraction for longitudinal waves is
approximately: 158. The wavelength of an ultrasonic wave is:

a. 22 degrees a. directly proportional to velocity and frequency

b. 18 degrees b. directly proportional to velocity and inversely
c. 26 degrees proportional to frequency
d. 16 degrees c. inversely proportional to velocity and directly
H.2-24 proportional to frequency
d. equal to the product of velocity and frequency
154. Of the piezoelectric materials listed below, the most C.233
efficient sound transmitter is:
159. The fundamental frequency of a piezoelectric crystal
a. lithium sulfate is primarily a function of:
b. quartz
c. barium titanate a. the length of the applied voltage pulse
d. silver oxide b. the amplifying characteristics of the pulse
1.255 amplifier in the instrument
c. the thickness of the crystal
155. Of the piezoelectric materials listed below, the most d. none of the above
efficient sound receiver is: E.223; H.6-11

a. lithium sulfate 160. Acoustic velocities of materials are primarily due to

b. quartz the material's:
c. barium titanate
d. silver oxide a. density
1.255 b. elasticity
c. both a and b
d. acoustic impedance
H.2-17

•
39
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Levelll

161. Inspection of castings is often impractical because of: 167. The primary requirement of a paintbrush transducer is
that:
a. extremely small grain structure
b. coarse grain structure a. all crystals be mounted equidistant from each other
c. uniform flow lines b. the intensity of the beam pattern not vary greatly
d. uniform velocity of sound over the entire length of the transducer
H.4-37; 1.190 c. the fundamental frequency of the crystals not vary
more than 0.01 %
162. Lamb waves may be used to inspect: d. the overall length not exceed 76 rnrn (3 in.)
1.258
a. forgings
b. bar stock 168. Heat conduction, viscous friction, elastic hysteresis,
c. ingots and scattering are four different mechanisms which
d. thin sheet lead to:
H.2-29
a. attenuation
163. The formula used to determine the angle of beam b. refraction
divergence of a quartz crystal is: c. beam spreading
d. saturation
a. sin 8= diameter 1/2 x wavelength 1.238
b. sin 8 diameter =frequency x wavelength
c. sin 8 =frequency x wavelength 169. Because the velocity of sound in aluminum is
d. sin 812 = 1.22 x wavelength/diameter approximately 245 000 in./s, for sound to travel
H.2-30 through 25 mm (1 in.) of aluminum, it takes:

164. The resolving power of a transducer is directly a. I/S s

proportional to its: b. 41ls
c. 4 ms
a. diameter d. 1/4 X 10" s
b. bandwidth 1.163,233
c. pulse repetition
d. none of the above 170. When testing a part with a rough surface, it is
1.266 generally advisable to use:

165. Acoustic lens elements with which of the following a. a lower frequency transducer and a more viscous
permit focusing the sound energy to enter cylindrical couplant than is used on parts with a smooth
surfaces normally or along a line focus? surface
b. a higher frequency transducer and a more viscous
a. Cylindrical curvatures. couplant than is used on parts with a smooth
b. Spherical lens curvatures. surface
c. Convex shapes. c. a higher frequency transducer and a less viscous
d. Concave shapes. couplant than is used on parts with a smooth
1.259 surface
d. a lower frequency transducer and a less viscous
166. In the basic pulse echo instrument, the synchronizer, couplant than is used on parts with a smooth
clock, or timer circuit determines the: surface
H.3-22
a. pulse length
b. gain 171. Reflection indications from a weld area being
c. pulse repetition rate inspected by the angle beam technique may represent:
d. sweep length
1.170 a. porosity
b. cracks
c. weld bead
d. all of the above
H.4-35

40
 Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II
172. During a test using A-scan equipment, strong 177. An ultrasonic instrument has been calibrated to obtain

•
indications that move at varying rates across the a 51 mm (2 in.) indication from a 2 mm (0.08 in.)
screen in the horizontal direction appear. It is diameter flat bottom hole located 76 mm (3 in.) from
impossible to repeat a particular screen pattern by the front surface of an aluminum reference block.
scanning the same area. A possible cause of these When testing an aluminum forging, a 51 mm (2 in.)
indications is: indication is obtained from a discontinuity located
76 mm (3 in.) from the entry surface. The cross
a. porosity in the test part sectional area of this discontinuity is probably:
b. an irregularly shaped crack
c. a blow hole a. the same as the area of the 2 mm (0.08 in.) flat
d. electrical interference bottom hole
1.246 b. greater than the area of the 2 mm (0.08 in.) flat
bottom hole
173. In an A-scan presentation, the horizontal line formed c. slightly less than the area of the 2 mm (0.08 in.)
by the uniform and repeated movement of an electron flat bottom hole
beam across the fluorescent screen of a cathode ray d. about 1/2 the area of the 2 mm (0.08 in.) flat
tube is caIIed: bottom hole
1.262
a. a square wave pattern
b. a sweep line 178. As the impedance ratio of two dissimilar materials
c. a marker pattern increases, the percentage of sound coupled through an
d. none of the above interface of such materials:
H.2-11
a. decreases
174. The greatest amount of attenuation losses take place b. increases
at: c. is not changed
d. may increase or decrease
a. I MHz 1.234
b. 2.25 MHz
c. 5 MHz 179. Low frequency sound waves are not generally used to
d.lOMHz test thin materials because of:
H.4-12
a. the rapid attenuation of low frequency sound
175. Waves that travel around gradual curves with little or b. incompatible wavelengths
no reflection from the curve are called: c. poor near-surface resolution
d. none of the above will actually limit such a test
a. transverse waves 1.234
b. surface waves
c. shear waves 180. When using two separate transducers (one a
d. longitudinal waves transmitter, the other a receiver), the most efficient
H.2-18,2-28 combination would be a:

176. To evaluate and accurately locate discontinuities after a. quartz transmitter and a barium titanate receiver
scanning a part with a paintbrush transducer, it is b. barium titanate transmitter and a lithium sulfate
generally necessary to use a: receiver
c. lithium sulfate transmitter and a barium titanate
a. transducer with a smaller crystal receiver
b. scrubber d. barium titanate transmitter and a quartz receiver
c. grid map 1.257
d. crystal collimator
H.3-15 181. In immersion testing, the accessory equipment to
which the search cable and the transducer are
attached is called a:

a. crystal collimator
b. scrubber
c. jet-stream unit
d. search tube or scanning tube
H.3-12

41
Ultrasonic Testing Method, Level II

182. In general, discontinuities in wrought products tend to 188. Surface waves are reduced to an energy level of
be oriented: approximately 1/25 of the original power at a depth of:

a. randomly a. 25 mm (1 in.)
b. in the direction of grain flow b. 102 mm (4 in.)
c. at right angles to the entry surface c. 1 wavelength
d. at right angles to the grain flow d. 4 wavelengths
H.7·37 0.2·32

183. In immersion testing, irrelevant or false indications 189. To prevent the appearance ofthe second front surface
caused by contoured surfaces are likely to result in a: indication before the first back reflection when
inspecting aluminum by the immersion method
a. broad-based indication (water is used as a couplant), it is necessary to have a
b. peaked indication minimum of at least 25 mm (1 in.) of water for every:
c. "hashy" signal
d. narrow-based indication a. 51 mm (2 in.) of aluminum
H.4·24 b. 102 mm (4 in.) of aluminum
c. 152 mm (6 in.) of aluminum
184. In contact testing, defects near the entry surface d. 203 mm (8 in.) of aluminum
cannot always be detected because of: H.4·5

a. the far-field effect 190. Increasing the length of the pulse used to activate the
b. attenuation transducer will:
c. the dead zone
d. refraction a. increase the strength of the ultrasound but decrease
F.43.31; H.4·20 the resolving power of the instrument
b. increase the resolving power of the instrument
185. In cases where the diameter of tubing being inspected c. have no effect on the test
is smaller than the diameter of the transducer, what d. decrease the penetration of the sound wave
can be used to confine the sound beam to the proper
range of angles?

a.
b.
c.
d.
a scrubber
a collimator
an angle plane angulator
a jet-stream unit
H.3·13,4·20

191. The lack of parallelism between the entry surface and

the back surface:

a. may result in a screen pattern that does not contain

back reflection indications
•
F.47.32 b. makes it difficult to locate discontinuities that lie
parallel to the entry surface
186. The maximum scanning speed possible is primarily c. usually indicates that a porous condition exists in
determined by: the metal
d. decreases the penetrating power of the test
a. the frequency of the transducer 0.2·37
b. viscous drag problems
c. the pulse repetition rate of the test instrument 192. A discontinuity with a concave surface will:
d. the persistency of the ultrasonic instrument display
F.48.5 a. diffuse the sound energy throughout the part
b. cause the reflected beam to focus at a point
187. The property of certain materials to transform determined by the curvature of the discontinuity
electrical energy to mechanical energy and vice versa c. cause mode reinforcement of the ultrasonic wave
is called: d. cause none of the above
F.45.24
a. mode conversion
h. piezoelectric effect 193. Rayleigh waves:
c. refraction
d. impedance matching a. are generated at the first critical angle
B.66·69; D.117·124; 0.2·7 b. are generated at the second critical angle
c. are generated at either critical angle
d.
e.
travel only in a liquid
are another name for Lamb waves
1.233·234
t
42
 Ultrasonic Testing Method. Level II
194. Angle beam testing of plate will often miss: 199. Attenuation is the loss of the ultrasonic wave energy
during the course of propagation in the material due

• a.
b.
c.
d.
cracks that are perpendicular to the sound wave
inclusions that are randomly oriented
laminations that are parallel to the front surface
a series of small discontinuities

195. Reducing the extent of the dead zone of a transducer

E.262
to:

a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
reflection and refraction
dispersion and diffraction
absorption and scattering
composition and shape
all of the above
by using a delay tip results in: D.108

a. improved distance amplitude correction in the near 200. When setting up an ultrasonic inspection, the
field repetition frequency of the ultrasonic instrument
b. reduced frequency of the primary ultrasonic beam should be set:
c. reduced ability to detect flaws in the near field
d. improved accuracy in thickness measurement of a. so that its period is at least as long as the operating
thin plate and sheet time
e. none of the above b. the same as the transducer resonance frequency
1.258 c. as low as possible to avoid overpulsing and
distortion
196. In a plate, skip distance can be calculated from which d. according to the instruction manual of the
of the following formulas where (t =plate thickness, instrument
e = angle of sound beam refraction, and V = sound e. none of the above
velocity): D.171-174

a. S = (2 x t) / tan e 201. In immersion shear wave testing, waves are normally

b. S = 2 x t x sin 8 generated by angulating the transducer beyond the
c. S = 2 x t x tan e first critical angle. What is the direction of the
d. S = 2 x V x sin e material's particle motion?
e. none of the above
1.266 a. The same as the wave propagation.
b. Normal to the material surface.
197. The technique of examining an ultrasonic reflector c. Parallel to the direction of wave propagation.
from different directions might be used to enable the d. Perpendicular to the direction of wave
technician to: propagation.
e. Only surface waves existed beyond the first critical
a. distinguish between different types of flaws angle.
b. predict the useful service life of the test specimen 1.233
c. distinguish between flaw indications and spurious
or false indications 202. Which of the following modes of vibration are
d. all of the above quickly dampened out when testing by the immersion
e. none of the above method?
1.247
a. longitudinal waves
198. The principal applications of ultrasonic techniques b. shear waves
consist of: c. transverse waves
d. surface waves
a. flaw detection 0.2-32
b. thickness measurements
c. determination of elastic moduli 203. The most commonly used method of producing shear
d. all of the above waves in a test part when inspecting by the
e. none of the above immersion method is:
F.43.2
a. by transmitting longitudinal waves into a part in a
direction perpendicular to its front surface
b. by using two crystals vibrating at different
frequencies

•
c. by using Y-cut quartz crystal
d. by angulating the search tube or manipulator to the
proper angle
0.3-12

43
•
 • Level II Answers
Ultrasonic Testing Method
1. d 39. c 77. a 115. b
2. d 40. d 78. c 116. d
3. b 41. d 79. b 117. b
4. c 42. c 80. c 118. a
5. c 43. a 8l. b 119. a
6. d 44. a 82. d 120. d
7. d 45. c 83. c 121. d
8. b 46. b 84. b 122. c
9. d 47. a 85. a 123. a
10. d 48. c 86. c 124. b
II. d 49. c 87. d 125. b
12. b 50. d 88. a 126. d
13. c 5I. b 89. d 127. b
14. e 52. a 90. a 128. a

i' 15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
b
e
b
a
a
53.
54.
55.
56.
57.
a
d
b
c
b
91.
92.
93.
94.
95.
c
d
a
a
a
129.
130.
131.
132.
133.
d
b
a
b
d
20. c 58. b 96. b 134. a
21. a 59. e 97. a 135. c
22. a 60. d 98. e 136. a
23. c 6I. c 99. b 137. a
24. a 62. d 100. c 138. c
25. b 63. a 10l. d 139. a
26. d 64. c 102. d 140. b
27. a 65. b 103. d 14l. b
28. d 66. d 104. e 142. c
29. b 67. c 105. d 143. d
30. e 68. d 106. b 144. b
3l. d 69. b 107. b 145. d
32. d 70. b 108. a 146. e
33. a 7l. b 109. e 147. c
34. b 72. c 110. a 148. a
73. b Ill. 149. d
Ie
"
..
''''I'-,
35.
36.
37.
b
e
C
74.
75.
d
b
112.
113.
a
c
a
150.
lSI.
b
c
38. d 76. a 114. a 152. d

45
 ~

153. a 166. c 179. c 192. b

154. c 167. b 180. b 193. b
155.
156.
a
d
168.
169.
a
b
181.
182.
d
b
194.
195.
c
d
t'
157. a 170. a 183. a 196. c
158. b 171. d 184. c 197. a
159. c 172. d 185. b 198. d
160. c 173. b 186. c 199. c
161. b 174. d 187. b 200. a
162. d 175. b 188. c 201. d
163. d 176. a 189. b 202. d
164. b 177. b 190. a 203. d
165. a 178. a 191. a

I~
.• I

•
46