Frequency is the number of events per unit of time where an event is repeating at regularly spaced time intervals.
Frequency's units are per second, written s-1 or hertz, Hz. Hertz and per second are identical units, i.e. 1 s-1 = 1 Hz.
Example 1
When describing a moving wave, frequency means the number of peaks which pass a stationary point in a given amount of time.
Example 2
When describing a heartbeat, frequency means the number of beats per second.
Example 3
When describing a rotating wheel, frequency means the number times the wheel rotates through 360° per second.
Worked Example 1
A fast drummer beats a drum 150 times in 30 seconds keeping a regular rhythm. What is the frequency of the beats?
Worked Example 2
A humming bird's wings go up and down again 440 times in 8 seconds. What is the frequency of the wing beats?
Worked Example 3
On the beach, you count waves as they pass a rock. You notice that 6 wave peaks pass the rock in a minute. What is the frequency of the waves?
Frequency is the inverse of period, T. The period is the time taken between events that are repeating at regular intervals.
Worked Example 4
The frequency of a fan's rotation is quoted as 100 Hz. How long does a complete 360° rotation of the fan take?
⇒ T = 1/f
⇒ T = 1/100 s-1
⇒ T = 0.01 s