In physics, a "period" typically refers to the duration of one complete cycle of a repeating event or motion. It is often used in the context of oscillatory or wave phenomena. For example, in pendulum motion, the period is the time it takes for the pendulum to swing from its starting position to the opposite side and back again to the starting position.
The period is denoted by the symbol \( T \) and is measured in units of time, such as seconds. In the context of waves, the period can be related to the frequency \( f \) (the number of cycles per unit time) by the equation:
\[ T = \frac{1}{f} \]
Where:
- \( T \) is the period
- \( f \) is the frequency
In summary, the period is a fundamental concept in physics that helps describe the timing of repetitive motions or waves.