What is frequency?

What is frequency?

Frequency is the number of times an event repeats within a given period of time. The term has varying meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In statistics, for example, frequency is used to describe the number of times a specific numerical value or observation occurs in a dataset.

In the context of electricity and electrical circuits, frequency refers to the number of cycles of alternating current (AC) that occur per second. Frequency is measured in hertz (Hz). One hertz corresponds to one cycle per second.

When you have a power source that provides alternating current, the voltage and current oscillate periodically back and forth. Frequency indicates how many times this occurs within one second. A higher frequency indicates a faster alternation of the current, while a lower frequency indicates a slower alternation.

Frequency is an important parameter, especially for devices that rely on a constant supply frequency, such as electronic appliances and motors.