Question

Define the terms "period" and "cycle" in relation to AC waveforms.

Answer 1

In the context of AC (Alternating Current) waveforms, the terms "period" and "cycle" are used to describe fundamental aspects of the waveform's behavior:

Period:
The period of an AC waveform refers to the time it takes for the waveform to complete one full cycle. In other words, it is the duration required for the waveform to go from a starting point, through all its ups and downs, and return to that same starting point again. The period is typically measured in seconds (s) and is denoted by the symbol "T." Mathematically, the period is the reciprocal of the frequency (f) of the waveform: T = 1/f.

Cycle:
A cycle of an AC waveform represents one complete oscillation or one complete sequence of upward and downward movements of the waveform. In a sinusoidal AC waveform (like a sine wave), a cycle consists of a peak, a zero-crossing point, a trough, and another zero-crossing point, all of which together constitute the entire oscillatory behavior of the waveform.

To summarize, the period is the time taken to complete one cycle of an AC waveform, while a cycle refers to the complete oscillation of the waveform from its starting point through all its variations and back to the starting point again.