Frequency versus Period

The Frequency versus Period Video Tutorial explains the meaning of the concepts of frequency and period and applies them to wave motion. The formulas for calculating frequency and period are presented and two example calculations are performed.

The video lesson answers the following questions:

What is the meaning of the terms frequency and period and how are they related?
How are frequency and period calculated?

Video

You can watch the video below, or click here to watch on YouTube (opens in a new tab).

To improve the effectiveness of the learning experience, The Physics Classroom has provided the following tools:

Additional and Related Learning Tools

Physics Interactives: Waves and Sound - Simple Wave Simulator
A simulation provides a phun, interactive way to explore a topic. That's what you'll find on this page. Spend some time changing variables and observing the result. Also observe the transverse (waves in a rope) and longitudinal (sound waves in air) options. After playing, check your understanding with our Concept Checker.

Concept Builder: Waves and Sound - Frequency and Period
This Concept Builder probably provides your best source of practice for the the conceptual meaning of frequency and period. It is worth your visit.

Calculator Pad, Vibrations and Waves, Problem Set WM1
Calculator Pad problem sets make for awesome practice. They provide problems with random numbers, an answer field, and lots of help. Enter an answer and check it; correct it if its wrong. Problem Set WM1 is all about frequency and period calculations. Tap one of the Help links if you're having trouble.

Physics Classroom Tutorial: Vibrations and Waves Chapter, Lesson 2 - Frequency and Period of a Wave
Our written tutorial pages provide a thorough, easy-to-understand, common-sense approach to Physics topics. This particular page addresses the same topics covered in the video. As such, it makes a great reference for a quick check-up or clarification of an idea.

Teacher Resources

Curriculum Corner: Wave Motion
Try our Curriculum Corner for a Think Sheet or a whole unit of Think Sheets and get your students thinking about waves. If the video is homework; then these are awesome next day starters. This is free curriculum for the taking. And for a few extra bucks, you can obtain the source documents and purchase a license to place them and any deriviative from them on your course management pages; see the Solutions Guide.

Physics Interactives: Waves and Sound - Simple Wave Simulator
This is a very popular simulation and one worth using with your classes. It comes with a classroom-ready student activity sheet. And don't forget the Concept Checker as a follow-up. Between our video, our simulations, and you're usual engaging labs, you're going to have some awesome lesson plans.

Physics Interactives: Waves and Sound - Vibrating Mass on a Spring
This simultation pertains more to simple harmonic motion than it does to wave motion. But it comes with a classroom-ready activity sheet that is all about the concepts of frequency and period. It may be what you're looking for.

Concept Builder: Waves and Sound - Frequency and Period
This Concept Builder probably provides the best source of practice for the the conceptual meaning of frequency and period. It is worth your visit.

Calculator Pad, Vibrations and Waves, Problem Set WM1
Calculator Pad problem sets make for awesome practice. They provide problems with random numbers, an answer field, and lots of help. Students enter an answer and check it. They can correct it if it's wrong. This set of problems focuses on frequency and period calculations.

Lesson Notes

Download (opens in a new tab) or view below

Slides

Do you like the slides we used? They are available in our low cost Teacher Presentation Pack, along with other updated materials used in our presentation.