How do I calculate the period of a wave using frequency and time increments?

[StotleD]

Let' say you have a wave plotted out on a time scale. Each increment on the line is 675 ms. There are 5 increments between each wavelength. How would I find the frequency so that I can solve for the wave's period using:

Period = 1/Hz

 

[Galileo]

What's the problem? Just read the scale. The period is the number of seconds it takes for one wavelength to pass by right? There are 5 increments in one wavelength and 1 increment is 675 ms, so how many seconds for one wavelength?

 

[StotleD]

The problem is I get 2.96E-4 when I multiply 675*5 then divide 1 by that. I must be doing it wrong

 

[Galileo]

Why divide if you need the period? Also, check your units (dimensions). Period has the dimension of time, so it's measured in seconds.

 

[Gokul43201]

StotleD : What Galileo is telling you is that you can directly read the period off the scale. You do not have to find the frequency and then invert it.

 

[StotleD]

Period = 1/Hz

 

[StotleD]

ok, thanks

 

[geosonel]

Let' say you have a wave plotted out on a time scale. Each increment on the line is 675 ms. There are 5 increments between each wavelength. How would I find the frequency so that I can solve for the wave's period using:

Period = 1/Hz

[FONT=Courier New]
                x               
              x   x
            x       x 
          x           x           x
                        x       x      
                          x   x
                            x
          |<--------------------->| 
           5x(675 ms) = The Period (directly from graph)

           Frequency = 1/(Period) = 1/(5x(675 ms))
           Period = 1/(Frequency) = 1/1/(5x(675 ms)) = (5x(675 ms)) AGAIN!

[/FONT]