AFOQT Practice Test

What unit is commonly used to measure frequency?

1. Decibel

2. Hertz

3. Newton

4. Joule

The correct answer is: Hertz

Frequency is commonly measured in hertz (Hz), which quantifies the number of cycles or occurrences of a periodic event per second. Specifically, one hertz is equal to one cycle per second. This unit is crucial in various fields, including physics and engineering, as it helps describe phenomena such as sound waves, radio waves, and other oscillatory behaviors. In contrast, decibels measure the intensity of sound or the power level of signals, newtons pertain to force, and joules measure energy. Each of these units serves a distinct purpose in the scientific context, but hertz directly relates to measuring how often something occurs within a specified timeframe, solidifying its role as the standard unit for frequency.