Bruno rides a carousel. It carries him all the way around once in 8 s. The next time around also takes 8 s, and so does the next.
That repeat time deserves a name of its own.
The period's symbol is a capital T.
A period is a time, so it is measured in seconds.
The carousel takes 8 s for each revolution, so its period is T = 8 s.
A steadily turning object repeats its revolution in the same time, every time: one period.
Other quantities also want the letter T: temperature arrives later in the course, and tension already names the force in a rope.
When the period shares a problem with tension or temperature, this course writes the other quantity out as a word, and T stays the period.
A Ferris wheel takes 90 s to carry a seat around once. Enter the wheel's period in s.
Astrid says: 'A ride's period is a time, so it is measured in seconds.' Is Astrid correct?
A wind turbine blade takes 4.0 s to complete each revolution. State its period.
The time for one revolution is 4.0 s.
The turbine's period is T = 4.0 s.
On a windier day, the same turbine completes each revolution in 2.5 s. State its period now.
The time for one revolution is now 2.5 s.
A faster spin means each revolution takes less time.
The turbine's period is now T = 2.5 s.
A carousel is timed. Which time is the carousel's period?
A merry-go-round turns steadily. A rider passes the entry gate at 12 s on a stopwatch, goes once around, and passes the gate again at 15 s. Enter the period in s.
Dagny measures a wheel's period. Which unit does she record?
The time an object takes to complete one revolution is called its ___.