What is the term used to describe one billion cycles per second?

The term used to describe one billion cycles per second is gigahertz. The prefix "giga-" in the metric system denotes a factor of one billion (10^9). Therefore, when measuring frequency, gigahertz specifically refers to one billion hertz (or cycles per second). This unit is commonly used in contexts involving high-frequency signals, such as in computer processors or telecommunications.

Other frequency measurements include megahertz, which denotes one million cycles per second, and kilohertz, representing one thousand cycles per second. Terahertz, on the other hand, signifies one trillion cycles per second, which is over a thousand times the frequency of gigahertz. Understanding these prefixes and their corresponding values is essential in fields like electronics and communications, as they allow for clearer communication about the frequency of signals or processes.