Cycle per second

Cycle per second (cps) is a unit of frequency that quantifies the number of cycles of a periodic phenomenon occurring in one second. This unit is synonymous with Hertz (Hz), the SI unit for frequency, named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. One cycle per second equals one Hertz, and it is used to describe the frequency of waves, including sound waves, electromagnetic waves, and other periodic signals.

Definition

A cycle in a periodic phenomenon is one complete sequence of events before the sequence repeats. The term "cycle per second" measures how many of these complete sequences occur in one second. It is a straightforward unit that directly describes the rate at which cycles happen over time. When the International System of Units (SI) was adopted, the unit Hertz was introduced to replace cycles per second, honoring Heinrich Hertz's contributions to the field of electromagnetism.

Application

The concept of cycles per second is widely applicable across various scientific and engineering disciplines. In acoustics, it is used to describe the frequency of sound waves, determining the pitch of sounds. In electronics and electrical engineering, cycles per second measure the frequency of alternating currents and electromagnetic waves, crucial for designing circuits and understanding signal transmission. Additionally, in the realm of computer science, it describes the clock speed of microprocessors, indicating how many cycles a processor can perform in a second.

Historical Context

Before the adoption of the Hertz as the SI unit of frequency, cycles per second was the standard term used in both scientific and technical fields. The transition to Hertz in the 1960s was part of a broader move to standardize units of measurement across scientific disciplines, facilitating clearer communication and collaboration internationally. Despite this change, the concept of cycles per second remains fundamental in understanding and describing frequency.

See Also

• Frequency
• Hertz
• Periodic function
• Wave
• Electromagnetic spectrum
• Sound frequency