Wave Period Calculator Formula
Understand the math behind the wave period calculator. Each variable explained with a worked example.
Formulas Used
Period
period = 1 / frequencyPeriod (ms)
period_ms = 1000 / frequencyAngular Frequency
angular_freq = 2 * pi * frequencyVariables
| Variable | Description | Default |
|---|---|---|
frequency | Frequency(Hz) | 60 |
How It Works
Wave Period
The period is the time for one complete cycle of a wave.
Formulas
T = 1 / f
The angular frequency is omega = 2 * pi * f, measured in radians per second.
Worked Example
A 60 Hz electrical wave (common AC frequency).
frequency = 60
- 01T = 1 / f
- 02T = 1 / 60
- 03T = 0.01667 s = 16.67 ms
- 04omega = 2 * pi * 60 = 376.99 rad/s
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the period of a 440 Hz sound wave?
T = 1/440 = 0.00227 seconds, or about 2.27 milliseconds.
What is angular frequency?
Angular frequency (omega) expresses the rate of oscillation in radians per second. One full cycle = 2*pi radians, so omega = 2*pi*f.
Why is AC electricity 50 or 60 Hz?
These frequencies were chosen as engineering compromises. 60 Hz is standard in North America; 50 Hz is used in most of the rest of the world.
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