Periodicity
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Periodicity is the quality of occurring at regular intervals or periods (in time or space) and can occur in different contexts:
- A clock marks time at periodic intervals.
- A metronome ticks at periodic intervals of time.
- A publication published at periodic intervals can be called a "periodical", for example a magazine.
- In mathematics, a function whose output contains values that repeat periodically is called periodic function.
- In chemistry, a table which classifies elements by means of periodicity is the periodic table.
- 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 music theory, periodicity is described as "predictability gives rise to expectations".
- Standing waves crest at periodic intervals of distance.
The measure of periodicity in time is frequency which has the Metric units of Hertz.
[edit] Periodic Table
When used in the periodic table, periodicity is the way in which properties of elements are repeated, depending on their location in the periodic table.