Question T5A06
From subelement T5 - T5A
What is the unit of frequency?
Why is this correct?
Frequency measures how many complete cycles occur per second, and the unit is Hertz (Hz). One Hertz equals one cycle per second. The other options are units for different electrical properties: Henry measures inductance (ability to store energy in magnetic fields), Farad measures capacitance (ability to store energy in electric fields), and Tesla measures magnetic field strength.
Memory tip
Remember the pattern: electrical units are often named after scientists. Frequency gets Hertz after Heinrich Hertz who proved electromagnetic waves exist. The 'cycles per second' definition makes Hertz intuitive - if something happens 60 times per second, that's 60 Hz.
Learn more
In amateur radio operation, frequency determines your operating privileges within each band. For example, the 20-meter band spans 14.000-14.350 MHz, where each specific frequency in Hertz represents a distinct channel. Understanding frequency measurement helps you navigate band plans, avoid interference, and comply with emission standards that specify allowed frequencies and bandwidths for different license classes.
Think about it
Why do you think amateur radio uses such a wide range of frequencies, from kilohertz to gigahertz, and how might this affect propagation characteristics?