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Physics vocabulary · Waves, Oscillations and Sound

Frequency

Meaning in physics, with examples

/ˈfriːkwənsi/nounCore term

In physics, frequency means: The number of complete waves or oscillations that pass a point, or happen, each second. It is measured in hertz (Hz), where 1 Hz means one cycle per second.

In Turkish: frekans

How it is used

Frequency is the inverse of the period (f = 1/T). In sound it decides pitch; in light it decides colour. Common phrases: high frequency, low frequency, natural frequency, frequency range. Values are often given in kHz, MHz or GHz.

Example sentences

  1. The tuning fork vibrates at a frequency of 440 Hz.

  2. If the frequency doubles while the wave speed stays the same, the wavelength is halved.

Common collocations

  • high frequency
  • natural frequency
  • frequency range
  • resonant frequency
  • angular frequency
  • wavelengthThe distance between two neighbouring points on a wave that are at the same stage of their cycle, such as two crests. It is shown by the Greek letter lambda (λ).
  • periodThe time taken for one complete oscillation, or for one full wave to pass a point. It is measured in seconds and is the inverse of frequency (T = 1/f).
  • waveA disturbance that travels through a medium or through space and carries energy from one place to another without carrying matter with it.
  • resonanceThe large increase in amplitude that happens when a system is pushed at a frequency equal to its own natural frequency. Energy is then transferred to the system very efficiently.
  • Doppler effectThe change in the observed frequency of a wave when the source and the observer move towards or away from each other. A siren sounds higher as it approaches and lower as it moves away.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Waves, Oscillations and Sound

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