What measures the number of cycles occurring in one second?

The measurement that quantifies the number of cycles occurring in one second is frequency. In this context, frequency is defined as the rate at which a repeating event occurs within a specified time period, typically expressed in hertz (Hz), which is one cycle per second. This concept is fundamental in various fields such as physics, engineering, and communications, especially when dealing with waves, signals, or other periodic phenomena.

The term period refers to the duration of time it takes to complete one cycle, which is inversely related to frequency; thus, frequency is the more direct measurement of cycles per second. Velocity pertains to the speed of an object in a specific direction and is not related to the cyclical nature of events. Magnetism, on the other hand, relates to the properties and interactions of magnetic fields, which is also unrelated to the measurement of cycles in a time frame. Understanding these definitions is key to grasping the concept of frequency as it applies to various applications.