What process uses ultrasound to agitate a fluid for cleaning purposes?

The correct choice is ultrasonic cleaner because this process specifically employs high-frequency sound waves to create ultrasonic waves that form tiny bubbles in a cleaning solution. This phenomenon, known as cavitation, leads to the agitation of the fluid, which effectively removes debris, contaminants, and particles from surfaces and intricate items such as dental instruments. The energy generated by these bubbles collapsing generates a scrubbing action that cleans even the smallest crevices and hard-to-reach areas.

In contrast, hydraulic cleaning refers to the use of pressurized water to remove dirt and debris, which does not involve ultrasonic technology. Vibratory cleaning uses mechanical vibrations to agitate the cleaning medium and is different from the acoustic agitation that ultrasonic cleaners provide. Fluid dynamics cleaning involves the study of fluids in motion but does not necessarily relate to the specific cleaning mechanism employed by ultrasonic technology. Thus, the ultrasonic cleaner is a specialized device designed solely for this effective cleaning process.