Which of the following is a consequence of the presence of a heavy couplant on surface waves?

The presence of a heavy couplant on surface waves leads to wave attenuation, which refers to the reduction in the amplitude of the waves as they travel through a medium. When a heavy couplant is applied, it increases the mass loading on the surface, resulting in more energy being dissipated due to the interaction between the wave and the couplant. This additional mass can absorb some of the energy of the wave, leading to a decrease in the signal strength as it propagates.

In the context of ultrasonic testing, proper coupling between the transducer and the test surface is crucial for efficient energy transfer. If the couplant is too heavy, it can dampen the surface waves significantly, causing attenuation. This effect will directly impact the quality of the inspection results, making it difficult to detect flaws or discontinuities effectively.