What is the relationship between time period and frequency?

The relationship between time period and frequency is defined mathematically. The time period refers to the amount of time it takes for one complete cycle of a wave to occur, while frequency measures how many cycles occur in one second. The two concepts are inversely related, meaning that as one increases, the other decreases.

Specifically, frequency is calculated as the reciprocal of the time period, expressed in the formula:

[ \text{Frequency} (f) = \frac{1}{\text{Time Period} (T)} ]

This relationship shows that if the time period is longer (meaning it takes more time for a complete cycle), the frequency will be lower (fewer cycles per second), and vice versa. Therefore, in scenarios where the time period increases, the frequency will decrease, reinforcing the concept of their inverse relationship. This fundamental understanding of waves is crucial for grasping more complex wave behaviors in physics.