alleryStart learning →Frequency and period are linked by f = 1 / T. If the period of an oscillation is halved, what happens to its frequency?
AIt doubles in size
BIt halves in size
CIt stays the same
DIt becomes four times
Answer & Solution
Correct answer: A. It doubles in size
1. Frequency is the reciprocal of period, f = 1 / T.
2. Replacing T by T/2 gives f = 1 / (T/2) = 2 / T.
3. That is twice the original frequency, so the frequency doubles.
4. Shorter oscillations mean more of them fit into each second, so frequency cannot fall or stay the same.
_Source: OpenStax College Physics (CC BY 4.0), Ch 16 "Oscillatory Motion and Waves", section 16.2 Period and Frequency in Oscillations_
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