Seconds to Cycles

[Carultch]

I am playing the Devil's advocate here.

The question asked was:

"How do I convert seconds to cycles equation wise?"

This

"Period (t) is the mathematical reciprocal of frequency (f). 1/t = f, 1/f = t"

being the answer, IMHO, isn't the answer to the question.

It is indeed a fact, but is it the answer to the question?

The OP was looking for a number of cycles, not a frequency, based on a known amount of time.

Hertz are by definition, complete cycles per second. Period is the duration of one cycle, which would thus have the units seconds per cycle.


"Cycle" is a dimensionless concept, which is why it is seldom formally part of the units. The units are commonly thought of as simply 1 Hz = 1/second and the period unit is seconds.

Given time duration (t) and frequency (f), to calculate qty of cycles your formula is:
n = t*f


so for t=10 seconds and f = 60 Hz, there are 600 cycles in this duration.

 

[K8MHZ]

As I stated, the formulas you reacted to were just an intermediate result, not the final answer.
If they were intended as a direct answer to the OP, then, yes, they were not adequate.

Thank you for that explanation. We are, however, bound by new rules which would dictate we try to stay on topic.

The fact that 1/t = f and 1/f = t, as true and noble as they are, should be the topic for a new thread.

:angel:

 

[Ingenieur]

Agreed, but there is no multiplication in these formulas:

1/t = f, 1/f = t

Your example,

.2 seconds times 10 cycles per second, equals 2 cycles,

is:

t(time) x f (cycles per second) = x (number of cycles)

not:

1/t = f, nor 1/f = t

aren't these equivalent?

1/t = f
f x t =1
cyc/sec x sec = cyc
1/sec = cycl/sec = sec^-1 = cyc-sec^-1, the sec^-1 cancels = cyc

 

[K8MHZ]

aren't these equivalent?

1/t = f
f x t =1
cyc/sec x sec = cyc
1/sec = cycl/sec = sec^-1 = cyc-sec^-1, the sec^-1 cancels = cyc

So what if they are? All those extraneous equations do is obfuscate the desired answer and confuse the questioner.

 

[Ingenieur]

So what if they are? All those extraneous equations do is obfuscate the desired answer and confuse the questioner.

Decaf

here's his question
How do I convert seconds to cycles equation wise?

not well defined
what basis? 50 Hz, 60 Hz, etc

so 1/t = f as good as any
time (sec) to freq (cyc/sec)

if he asked "how many cycles (f = 60 Hz) in a given time period", a better equation would have been given

t x 60 = cycles or t x f = cycles or f = cyc/t
my first ??? to him was what basis

 

[mbrooke]

..................................

 

[mbrooke]

So what if they are? All those extraneous equations do is obfuscate the desired answer and confuse the questioner.

Hey, I don't mind a long way and a short way

For 32 milliseconds I'm at about 2 cycles.

Sub-cycle clearing is going to be even more fun.

 

[petersonra]

Any quick math for milliseconds to cycles?

There are 1/60 seconds per cycle in 60 hz systems. Or 50 msecs in 3 cycles.

 

[mbrooke]

There are 1/60 seconds per cycle in 60 hz systems. Or 50 msecs in 3 cycles.

Thanks

I'll probably make a table so I don't have to crunch the numbers each time. Or a wall wrapper with 120 humps with milliseconds at various points, gives a visual as to the amount of time and energy a fault puts on a system.