What term describes the number of cycles that occur in one second?

What term describes the number of cycles that occur in one second?

• A. Wavelength
• B. Frequency
• C. Amplitude
• D. Phase

Answer: (B)

The term describes how fast a repeating wave occurs, i.e., how many cycles happen in one second. That rate is frequency, measured in hertz (Hz), where one hertz equals one cycle per second. For example, a tone at 440 Hz means 440 cycles occur every second, which corresponds to that pitch. Wavelength relates to the spatial distance between wave crests, not the time rate. Amplitude is how tall the wave is, tied to loudness or strength. Phase is the position within the cycle at a given moment, an offset rather than a rate. So frequency is the correct description.

The term describes how fast a repeating wave occurs, i.e., how many cycles happen in one second. That rate is frequency, measured in hertz (Hz), where one hertz equals one cycle per second. For example, a tone at 440 Hz means 440 cycles occur every second, which corresponds to that pitch. Wavelength relates to the spatial distance between wave crests, not the time rate. Amplitude is how tall the wave is, tied to loudness or strength. Phase is the position within the cycle at a given moment, an offset rather than a rate. So frequency is the correct description.