Hertz (Hz) is a unit of measurement for frequency, which is the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. The formula for Hertz is:
Hz = 1 / T
Where:
- Hz represents Hertz, the unit of frequency.
- T represents the time period of the event, measured in seconds.
Understanding the Formula
This formula means that the frequency of an event is the inverse of its time period. For example, if a wave completes one cycle every second, its time period is 1 second, and its frequency is 1 Hz.
Practical Examples
- Sound Waves: A sound wave with a frequency of 440 Hz vibrates 440 times per second, which corresponds to the musical note "A".
- Electromagnetic Waves: A radio wave with a frequency of 100 MHz (megahertz) oscillates 100 million times per second.
- Computer Clocks: The speed of a computer processor is often measured in gigahertz (GHz), which represents billions of cycles per second.
