This web page allows you to convert the different frequency units and answers the following questions in particular: What is frequency, and how is it related to the speed of light? What are some common uses of units of frequency in engineering and industry? Who is Heinrich Hertz, and what was his contribution to the study of frequency? What are some common referential values for units of frequency, and what are they used for? How can different units of frequency be converted into one another, and what are the conversion formulas for doing so?
Frequency is a measurement of how often a waveform or other event occurs in a specified unit of time. It is closely related to the speed of light, with time inversely proportional to wave length or period. The measurement of frequency dates back to the very beginnings of science, as far back as the 5th century BCE with measurements of sound through the air using instruments such as drums. Over the centuries, various units have been used in various contexts, though the unit of Hertz (Hz) has become the most prevalent in recent times. The metric prefix system has also affected the use of the various units of frequency, with the Kilohertz (kHz), Megahertz (MHz), Gigahertz (GHz), and Terahertz (THz) being used as the most common breakdowns.
Units of frequency are used in a wide variety of applications and contexts, ranging from analyzing and measuring basic sounds to complex electromechanical systems and electronics. In engineering, particularly electrical engineering, frequency is an important parameter for measuring the performance and operational fundamentals of components, circuits, and systems. One such example is the radio frequency spectrum, which was divided into 24 bands from 9kHz to 275GHz during the last World War to better facilitate radiotelegraphic transmissions. Frequency is also used in manufacturing and industry, as devices like conveyor belts, tools, and other automated machines operate on motors and other mechanisms that run at a fixed frequency.
Perhaps the most interesting fact about frequency is that for many years it was limited to 30kHz. This was due to German physicist Heinrich Hertz’s experiments, who established the foundation for the study of frequency and coined the term ‘Hertz’ in 1888. It was because of his work that the hertz replaced the old c.p.s. (cycles per second) unit. Additionally, the most popular frequency measuring handheld device is called a frequency counter, which is a highly accurate instrument used to determine the frequency of a signal, usually with high accuracy.
Unit conversion is done using a conversion factor that translates between one unit of measure and another. To convert between the various units of frequency, the following conversion formulae should be used: