Frequency is defined as the number of cycles per unit time. If an oscillator completes 5 cycles in 2 seconds, what is its frequency?

Frequency is defined as the number of cycles per unit time. If an oscillator completes 5 cycles in 2 seconds, what is its frequency?

• A. 2.5 Hz
• B. 0.4 Hz
• C. 2 Hz
• D. 0.5 Hz

Answer: (A)

Frequency is how many cycles occur each second. If 5 cycles happen in 2 seconds, you divide the number of cycles by the time: 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5. So the frequency is 2.5 Hz, meaning 2.5 cycles per second. Hz represents cycles per second. Check quickly: at 0.4 Hz you'd get 0.4 × 2 = 0.8 cycles in 2 seconds (not 5); at 2 Hz you'd get 2 × 2 = 4 cycles in 2 seconds; at 0.5 Hz you'd get 0.5 × 2 = 1 cycle in 2 seconds.

Frequency is how many cycles occur each second. If 5 cycles happen in 2 seconds, you divide the number of cycles by the time: 5 ÷ 2 = 2.5. So the frequency is 2.5 Hz, meaning 2.5 cycles per second. Hz represents cycles per second.

Check quickly: at 0.4 Hz you'd get 0.4 × 2 = 0.8 cycles in 2 seconds (not 5); at 2 Hz you'd get 2 × 2 = 4 cycles in 2 seconds; at 0.5 Hz you'd get 0.5 × 2 = 1 cycle in 2 seconds.