Kilohertz (kHz)
The kilohertz, symbol kHz, is equal to 1,000 hertz. Building on the foundation set by the hertz, this unit was introduced to measure higher-frequency signals, such as radio waves, audio frequencies, and electronic circuits. Kilohertz is particularly common in broadcasting, audio engineering, and communications. The unit simplifies large frequency measurements, allowing engineers and scientists to describe thousands of cycles per second concisely and accurately. Its widespread adoption facilitates precise communication of frequency data in both professional and educational contexts.
Gigahertz (GHz)
The gigahertz, symbol GHz, equals one billion hertz and is primarily used in computing, radio astronomy, and high-speed communications. Following the widespread use of megahertz, advances in electronics in the late 20th century led to a need for units that could measure extremely high frequencies, resulting in the adoption of gigahertz. Today, it is commonly used to describe CPU clock speeds, satellite transmissions, and microwave signals. The gigahertz unit exemplifies the metric system’s scalability, allowing engineers and scientists to work with ultra-fast oscillations efficiently and accurately.