21 June 2020

Difference Between Period and Frequency

Frequency and period are inversely related quantities. Frequency refer to how often something happens, where period refer to the time it takes for something to happen. Here this article gives information about the main key difference between period and frequency are listed below.

The main key difference between period and frequency:


  • The period of a wave is time quantity while frequency is a rate quantity because it measures the total number of cycles appearing.
  • The period of wave in a generalized manner is given as by the second/cycle, the frequency of a wave is given as cycle/second.
  • The frequency is a representation is f while the devotion used for the time period is upper case letter of T.
  • The period of a wave is time quantity as its measurement is associated with time duration, while the frequency is a rate quantity because it measures the total number of cycles appearing.
  • As the period is time quantity its unit is seconds, whereas frequency is a rate quantity, therefore it is measured in hertz.
  • Period of a wave often referred to as the time period is the measure of time required by a wave for completing one cycle. However, frequency is the overall cycle occurring in unit time.
  • The period refers to the time it takes to do something, the frequency refer to the rate at which something happens.
  • If period is longer, the frequency is lower, If the frequency is higher period is lower. 
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