Cycles and Repetitions
Frequency is a simple concept: how many times does an event happen in a given unit of time?
Hertz (The SI Standard)
- 1 Hertz (Hz) is exactly one event (cycle) per second.
- We use Hz for everything in modern technology: 60 Hz monitors refresh 60 times a second; a 4 GHz processor executes 4 billion cycles per second; 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi emits radio waves at 2.4 billion cycles per second.
Mechanical and Rhythmic
- RPM (Revolutions Per Minute): Rather than measuring cycles per second, mechanical engineering uses cycles per 60 seconds. An engine spinning at 3,000 RPM is spinning at 50 Hz.
- BPM (Beats Per Minute): Used in music tempos and medicine (heart rates). Functionally identical to RPM.