The time required to complete one oscillation backward and forward is called the period of the motion.

The time required to complete one oscillation backward and forward is called the period of the motion.

• A. cycle
• B. vibrations
• C. period
• D. none of the above

Answer: (C)

Period is the time it takes for one complete oscillation to occur, a full back-and-forth cycle. In simple harmonic motion this duration is denoted T and measured in seconds. The frequency f, how many oscillations happen per second, is the reciprocal of the period: f = 1/T. A cycle refers to that complete repetition of motion, which coincides with one period, but when talking about the time elapsed, period is the standard term. Vibrations describe the motion itself rather than the time interval.

Period is the time it takes for one complete oscillation to occur, a full back-and-forth cycle. In simple harmonic motion this duration is denoted T and measured in seconds. The frequency f, how many oscillations happen per second, is the reciprocal of the period: f = 1/T. A cycle refers to that complete repetition of motion, which coincides with one period, but when talking about the time elapsed, period is the standard term. Vibrations describe the motion itself rather than the time interval.