Period is the time required for one complete oscillation of a periodic wave. It describes how long each cycle takes, while frequency describes the number of oscillations per second and is measured in hertz (Hz). section 18.2.1
Calculating a cycle duration
A wave with a frequency of 4 Hz completes four oscillations each second. Each oscillation therefore takes 0.25 seconds: its period is 0.25 seconds. section 18.2.1 section 18.5
Figure 18.7 A wave with a frequency of 4 Hz. This means it completes four full oscillations every second, resulting in a period of 0.25 seconds per oscillation.
Use the wave diagram to relate four oscillations per second to a 0.25-second period for each oscillation. section 18.2.1
