Frequency Converter
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About Frequency Converter
Understanding Frequency
Frequency measures the number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit of time. The standard SI unit is the hertz (Hz), defined as one cycle per second. This fundamental concept appears throughout science and engineering, from electronic signals to mechanical rotations. Heinrich Hertz's groundbreaking experiments with radio waves in the 1880s led to the unit being named in his honor. Today, frequency measurements are crucial in fields ranging from telecommunications to music, and from quantum physics to astronomy.
Common Applications
| Application | Typical Range | Unit |
|---|---|---|
| Human Hearing | 20-20,000 | Hz |
| CPU Clock | 2-5 | GHz |
| Hard Drive | 5400-7200 | RPM |
| Radio FM | 88-108 | MHz |
Unit Relationships
SI Prefixes
- 1 kHz = 1,000 Hz
- 1 MHz = 1,000 kHz
- 1 GHz = 1,000 MHz
- 1 THz = 1,000 GHz
Other Conversions
- 1 Hz = 60 RPM
- 1 Hz = 6.28319 rad/s
- 1 Hz = 3600 cycles/hour
- 1 Hz = 60 BPM
Electromagnetic Spectrum
Frequency Bands
- Radio Waves: 3 Hz - 300 GHz
- Microwaves: 300 MHz - 300 GHz
- Infrared: 300 GHz - 430 THz
- Visible Light: 430-750 THz
- Ultraviolet: 750 THz - 30 PHz
- X-rays: 30 PHz - 30 EHz
- Gamma Rays: > 30 EHz
Musical Frequencies
Musical Notes
- A4 (concert pitch): 440 Hz
- Middle C (C4): 261.63 Hz
- Lowest piano note (A0): 27.5 Hz
- Highest piano note (C8): 4186 Hz
Natural Frequencies
Biological and Natural Cycles
- Heart Rate: 60-100 BPM
- Brain Waves: 0.5-100 Hz
- Circadian Rhythm: ~1 cycle/day
- Lunar Cycle: ~1 cycle/month
- Earth's Rotation: 1 cycle/day
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Hz and RPM?
Hz (Hertz) measures cycles per second, while RPM (Revolutions Per Minute) measures rotations per minute. 1 Hz equals 60 RPM since there are 60 seconds in a minute. For example, if a motor spins at 3000 RPM, that's equivalent to 50 Hz.
Why do we use different frequency units like kHz, MHz, and GHz?
We use different units to make large numbers more manageable. kHz (kilohertz) represents thousands of Hz, MHz (megahertz) represents millions of Hz, and GHz (gigahertz) represents billions of Hz. For example, a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi signal would be 2,400,000,000 Hz if written out in full, which is less convenient to read and work with.
How is frequency used in music?
In music, frequency determines the pitch of a note. The standard tuning note A4 (concert pitch) is 440 Hz. Each octave represents a doubling of frequency - for example, the A5 note is 880 Hz, while A3 is 220 Hz. This mathematical relationship creates the harmonic structure that underlies all musical scales.
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