Hertz

Definition

Hertz (Hz) is the unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI), representing one cycle per second. It measures the number of times a periodic event occurs per second.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Hertz is named after Heinrich Hertz, a German physicist who made significant contributions to the study of electromagnetism.
2. In music, hertz is used to measure the frequency of sound waves, which determines the pitch of a note.
3. The standard tuning pitch for musical instruments is A440, meaning the A above middle C vibrates at 440 Hz.
4. Human hearing ranges from approximately 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz.
5. Higher hertz values correspond to higher pitches in music.

Review Questions

• What does Hertz measure?
• Why is A440 significant in music?
• Who was Hertz named after and why?

Related terms

Frequency: The number of occurrences of a repeating event per unit time.

Pitch: The perceived frequency of a sound, determining how high or low it sounds.

Wavelength: The distance between successive crests of a wave, inversely related to frequency.