Definitions of Hertz, Kilohertz, etc.
This article defines and compares frequency measurements expressed in Hertz, Kilohertz kHz, Megahertz mHz, Gigahertz gHz, and Terahertz tHz .
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While the field strength of an EMF around an electric meter or service entry cable falls off very quickly, one can indeed measure a strong field when quite close to the equipment.
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Relation of wavelength to frequency & speed: notice that the shorter the wavelength the higher the frequency.
That's why in our table above as the wavelengths get smaller (notice those negative exponents?) the electromagnetic frequency numbers get larger.
More technically, wavelength is inversely proportional to wave frequency.
Do not confuse wavelength and frequency of an electromagnetic wave with its speed.
All electromagnetic waves move at or close to the speed of light (and do move at the speed of light if measured in a vacuum).
The speed of an electromagnetic wave, expressed in meters per second is equal to wavelength (in meters) x frequency (in oscillations per second or Hertz, abbreviated as Hz).
Photo: cell towers and other electrical devices and antennae in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Our table (below) provides definitions of various frequencies or oscillation rates expressed in kilohertz, megahertz, gigahertz, or terahertz.
Frequency Definitions | Frequency in words | Frequency in Exponent Form |
---|---|---|
Definition of Hertz Hz |
One Hertz - one cycle per second | 10-1 |
Definition of Decahertz daHz |
Tens of cycles per second | 101 |
Definition of Hectohertz hHz |
Hundreds of cycles per second | 102 Not in common use |
Definition of Kilohertz kHz |
One kilohertz - one thousand cycles per second = 1,000 | 103 |
Definition of Megahertz mHz |
One megahertz - one million cycles per second = 1,000,000 | 106 |
Definition of Gigahertz gHz |
One gigahertz - one billion cycles per second = 1,000,000,000 | 109 to 1012 (range) |
Definition of Terahertz tHz |
One terahertz - one trillion of cycles per second = 1,000,000,000,000 | 1012 to 1015 (range) |
The additional Hertz incredibly-high frequencies listed below are not likely to be found in use describing electromagnetic radiation such as those discussed in these articles - these are not in common use, but may be used to describe quantum-mechanical wave functions.
Definition of Petahertz pHz |
One petahertz - one followed by 15 zeros, or more formally, One petahertz pHz = 1 x 1015 [cycles per second if we are discussing frequency] |
1015 |
---|---|---|
Definition of Exahertz eHz |
One exahertz - one followed by 18 zeros, or One eHz = 1 x 1018 |
1018 |
Definition of Zetahertz zHz |
One zetahertz -one followed by 21 zeros, or One zHz = 1 x 1021 |
1021 |
Definition of Yotahertz yHz |
One yotahertz - one followed by 24 zeros, or One yHz = 1 x 1024 |
1024 |
Separately at TABLE of EMR FREQUENCIES we provide a separate listing of the frequency in Hertz of various sources of electromagnetic radiation, ranging from ULF - ultra low frequency sources - through UHF - ultra high frequency electromagnetic radiation sources.
Because the possible effects of electromagnetic fields on humans, other animals, and even materials varies significantly by frequency (and wavelength, distance, and other factors).
Thank you ever so much for your explanation about the difference between MilliGauss and Hertz. On 2016-03-29 by Kandi Thank you
Reply by (mod) - Thanks Kandi. Don't hesitate to ask if you find any InspectApedia.com article unclear - working together makes us smarter. Daniel
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