Wave frequency is measured in units called Hertz (Hz). One Hertz is defined as one wave per second. Suppose a person counted 10 waves passing by over a time period of 1 second. What is the wave frequency?
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer:
The wave frequency is 10 Hertz (Hz).
Explanation:
Wave frequency refers to the number of complete wave cycles that pass a given point in one second. It is a key concept in the study of waves, whether they are sound waves, light waves, or water waves. The standard unit of frequency is the Hertz (Hz), which is defined as one cycle (or wave) per second.
In this case, a person observed 10 waves passing by over a 1-second time period. To calculate the frequency, the number of waves is divided by the time they took to pass: Frequency=Number of wavesTime (in seconds)=101=10 Hz\text{Frequency} = \frac{\text{Number of waves}}{\text{Time (in seconds)}} = \frac{10}{1} = 10 \, \text{Hz}
This means that 10 waves are passing a fixed point each second, so the wave frequency is 10 Hertz.
Frequency plays a crucial role in determining the behavior and properties of waves. For example, in sound, a higher frequency means a higher pitch. In electromagnetic waves, such as light, frequency determines the color of visible light and energy level. In oceanography, wave frequency helps describe the energy and behavior of ocean waves.
Understanding wave frequency also helps in applications like communications, music, medical imaging, and seismology. Devices like radios and TVs rely on tuning into specific frequencies. In music, different instruments produce sounds at specific frequencies. In medicine, ultrasound machines use high-frequency sound waves to create images of the inside of the body.
Thus, recognizing that 10 waves in one second equals a frequency of 10 Hz is a foundational concept that applies to a wide range of scientific and everyday contexts.