How to find period from frequency?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking how to calculate the period of a wave or oscillation based on its frequency. The period is the reciprocal of frequency; to find it, you divide 1 by the frequency. This is a fundamental concept in physics related to waves and oscillatory motion.
Answer
$T = 0.5$ seconds
Answer for screen readers
The final answer for the period ( T ) is $T = 0.5$ seconds, assuming the frequency ( f ) is $2$ Hz.
Steps to Solve
-
Identify the frequency First, determine the frequency of the wave or oscillation. Let's denote the frequency as $f$ (in hertz, Hz), which is the number of cycles per second.
-
Use the formula for the period The period ( T ) of the wave is calculated using the formula: $$ T = \frac{1}{f} $$ This formula states that the period is the reciprocal of the frequency.
-
Insert the frequency value into the formula If, for example, the frequency is known (let's say ( f = 2 ) Hz), substitute this value into the formula: $$ T = \frac{1}{2} $$
-
Calculate the period Now, perform the calculation: $$ T = 0.5 \text{ seconds} $$ This result shows the period of the wave or oscillation.
The final answer for the period ( T ) is $T = 0.5$ seconds, assuming the frequency ( f ) is $2$ Hz.
More Information
In this specific example, a frequency of 2 Hz indicates that the wave completes 2 cycles every second, resulting in a period of 0.5 seconds for each cycle. This concept is integral to understanding wave motions, such as sound waves, light waves, and more.
Tips
- Confusing frequency and period. Remember that frequency is how many cycles occur in one second, while the period is the time it takes for one complete cycle.
- Forgetting to convert units. Ensure that the frequency is in hertz (Hz) before using it in the formula.
