- #1
LoveKnowledge
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I am on the "sound" chapter in my Conceptual Physics class but I just wanted to know the best way to explain in layterm: what is the difference between frequency and period?
What exactly is the difference between frequency and period?
- Thread starter LoveKnowledge
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In summary, frequency and period are two related concepts in physics. Frequency refers to the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time, while the period is the duration of one cycle in that event. They are inverses of each other, with frequency measured in Hertz (Hz) and period measured in seconds. Understanding the units of these quantities can help in comprehending their meaning.
- #2
russ_watters
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They are inverses of each other.
- #3
pallidin
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To elaborate:
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency. The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency. Loosely speaking, 1 year is the period of the Earth's orbit around the Sun,[1] and the Earth's rotation on its axis has a frequency of 1 rotation per day.[2]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency
Frequency is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time. It is also referred to as temporal frequency. The period is the duration of one cycle in a repeating event, so the period is the reciprocal of the frequency. Loosely speaking, 1 year is the period of the Earth's orbit around the Sun,[1] and the Earth's rotation on its axis has a frequency of 1 rotation per day.[2]
Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frequency
- #4
Studiot
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I suggest you make a habit of paying special attention to the units of new physical quantities you meet.
Very often looking at these helps understand what the quantity is measuring.
You may have to look beyond the modern trend to replace descriptive units with the names of dead scientists.
So
Frequency is measured in Hertz ( a dead scientist) but originally in cycles per second and is the number of repeats of the wave or oscillation per second.
Period is the measured in seconds and is the number of seconds it takes said oscillation to repeat.
Very often looking at these helps understand what the quantity is measuring.
You may have to look beyond the modern trend to replace descriptive units with the names of dead scientists.
So
Frequency is measured in Hertz ( a dead scientist) but originally in cycles per second and is the number of repeats of the wave or oscillation per second.
Period is the measured in seconds and is the number of seconds it takes said oscillation to repeat.
- #5
arildno
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That's so gross..
Couldn't you just leave his remains alone, rather than "measuring" things in him?
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jtbell
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Think of frequency as "cycles per second" and the period as "seconds per cycle". Or substitute any other time unit that's more convenient for the purpose at hand.
1. What is frequency and period?
Frequency and period are two mathematical measurements used to describe the behavior of periodic phenomena, such as waves or oscillations. Frequency is the number of cycles or waves that occur in one second, while period is the time it takes for one full cycle or wave to occur.
2. How are frequency and period related?
Frequency and period are inversely related. This means that as frequency increases, period decreases, and vice versa. Mathematically, frequency is equal to 1 divided by the period, or period is equal to 1 divided by the frequency.
3. What are the units of frequency and period?
The unit of frequency is Hertz (Hz), named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. The unit of period is seconds (s). For example, a frequency of 50 Hz means 50 cycles occur in one second, while a period of 0.02 s means one cycle occurs in 0.02 seconds.
4. How are frequency and period used in everyday life?
Frequency and period are important concepts in many fields, including physics, engineering, and medicine. They are used to describe and measure the behavior of various phenomena, such as sound waves, radio waves, and heartbeats. They are also used in technologies such as electric circuits, musical instruments, and communication devices.
5. Can frequency and period be converted to other units?
Yes, frequency and period can be converted to other units. For example, frequency can also be expressed in kilohertz (kHz) or megahertz (MHz), while period can be expressed in milliseconds (ms) or microseconds (μs). These conversions can be useful when dealing with extremely high or low frequencies or periods.
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