Question

Which of the following is the frequency of high C? a) $376\mathrm{g}$ b) $483\mathrm{m}/\mathrm{s}$ c) $523\mathrm{Hz}$ d) 26.5 J

Short answer

Answer: The frequency of high C is 523 Hz.

Step-by-step solution

Understanding Frequency Units

The unit for frequency is Hertz (Hz), which represents the number of cycles or oscillations per second that a wave or signal completes.

Identify the Correct Option

Since we know the unit for frequency is Hz, look for the option that has Hz as the unit. In this case, it is option c) $523\mathrm{Hz}$.

Provide the Answer

The frequency of high C is $523\mathrm{Hz}$. The correct answer is option c).

Key concepts

Hertz (Hz)

Hertz (Hz) is a unit of frequency, named after the German physicist Heinrich Hertz. It measures the number of complete cycles of a periodic process that occur per second. In music, pitch is often described in terms of frequency, and the high 'C' note has a standard frequency of 523 Hz. This means that the high 'C' vibrates 523 times every second when played. Understanding Hz is crucial for various fields, including acoustics, radio technology, and physics where it's essential to quantify oscillations and waves.

Oscillations per second

Oscillations per second refer to the number of times a wave completes a full cycle from start to finish in one second. It's a direct measure of the wave's frequency. Consider a guitar string vibrating when plucked; each back-and-forth movement of the string counts as one oscillation. If that string is tuned to play high C, it would oscillate 523 times per second. This term is applicable to a variety of phenomena, from the vibrations of a musical instrument to the oscillations of electromagnetic waves, like those used in broadcasting and Wi-Fi signals.

Unit for frequency

The standard unit for measuring frequency is the Hertz (Hz), which quantifies how often a periodic event occurs over a time interval of one second. Frequency involves the rapidity of vibrations or waves and is a fundamental concept in scientific disciplines, such as physics and engineering. Frequency dictates the tone of a sound, the color of light, and the channels used for communication systems. For instance, the difference between a low-pitched sound and a high-pitched sound, like high C's characteristic clear and bright tone, lies in their frequencies, measured in Hz.