Periodicity is the quality of occurring at regular intervals or periods (in time or space) and can occur in different contexts:
In timing devices:
- A clock marks time at periodic intervals.
- A metronome ticks at periodic intervals of time.
In science:
- Periodicity in time is often specified by its frequency which has the metric units of hertz (the number of periods per second).
- Oscillations, waves and standing waves have crests at periodic intervals of space and/or time.
- In physics, period is the number of cycles as a result of time (time/cycle). The amount of time it takes to complete one full revolution. Period is also the inverse of frequency.
- In mathematics, a periodic function is a function whose output contains values that repeat periodically.
- In mathematics, in group theory, a periodic group is a group in which each element has finite order.
- In chemistry, the periodic table is a table which classifies the chemical elements by means of the periodicity of their chemical properties.
- In physics, the ability of a magnet to swing/settle
Other uses:
- In finance, the periodicity of a loan describes the interval between payments.
- A publication published at periodic intervals can be called a "periodical", for example a magazine.
- In music theory, periodicity is described as "predictability gives rise to expectations".
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