BasicB-005-007-008
What does 60 hertz (Hz) mean?
C
Answer
Transmitters, receivers, and measurements
Type
A
60 metres per second
B
6000 metres per second
C
60 cycles per second
D
6000 cycles per second
Answer Notes
The 'hertz' (symbol: Hz) is the standard unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI). By definition, one hertz equals exactly one complete cycle per second.
Therefore, a frequency of 60 hertz means that a wave or alternating current completes 60 full cycles in one second. This specific frequency is most commonly known as the standard frequency for household AC power in North America.
Distractors that mention 'metres per second' are incorrect because metres measure distance and speed, whereas hertz strictly measures the rate of cycles over time.
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Two AC waveforms have the same frequency, but their cycles do not begin at the same instant. What term describes that timing difference?