Hertz is a unit of frequency, usually of waves. One Hertz is equal to one cycle per second or one s^(-1). Frequency is the number of waves or cycles that pass a point in a given time period. The product of the wavelength and frequency of a wave equals its speed. Since all electromagnetic radiation has the same speed C (equal to 3.0 X 10^8 m/sec), wavelength x frequency = C. The longer the wavelength of electromagnetic radiation, the lower its frequency.
Here are some common uses of Hertz:
Music: The pitch of a musical note is determined by its frequency. Frequency in Hertz or Hz is often associated with music, for example tuning forks are stamped with the frequency of the sound they produce in Hz.
Radio transmission: The frequencies of waves used by broadcasting stations to transmit signals are specified in KHz (kilohertz) and MHz (megahertz).
Computer processors: Processor speed is designated in gigahertz, which is a measure of the cycling of alternating current.
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