Emergency Telecommunicator Certification Practice Exam

In terms of radio signals, what is the definition of frequency?

1. The distance between two consecutive waves

2. The duration of a signal's transmission

3. The number of electromagnetic waves that pass a point in one second

4. The speed at which the signal travels

The correct answer is: The number of electromagnetic waves that pass a point in one second

Frequency refers to the number of electromagnetic waves that pass a specific point in one second. It is a fundamental concept in telecommunications, particularly in the context of radio signals, where understanding how often the waves occur can influence communication systems. A higher frequency indicates that more waves are passing by in a given time period, which can affect the bandwidth and data transmission capabilities of a communication system. The other options describe different aspects of waves or signals: the distance between waves relates to wavelength, the duration pertains to the time a signal is sent, and speed refers to how quickly the signals travel through a medium. However, these do not define frequency itself, which is solely concerned with the count of waves over a time frame. Thus, the choice reflecting frequency accurately captures its definition in the context of radio signals.