Hertz Hertz The hertz (symbol: Hz) is the derived unit of frequency in the International System of Units (SI) and is defined as one cycle per second. It is named for Heinrich Rudolf Hertz, the first person to provide conclusive proof of the existence of electromagnetic waves. Hertz are commonly expressed in multiples: kilohertz (10 Hz, kHz), megahertz (10 Hz, MHz), gigahertz (10 Hz, GHz), terahertz (10 Hz, THz), petahertz (10 Hz, PHz), and exahertz (10 Hz, EHz). Some of the unit's most common uses are in the description of sine waves and musical tones, particularly those used in radio- and
Rayleigh (unit) Rayleigh (unit) The rayleigh is a unit of photon flux, used to measure airglow (auroras, for example). It was first proposed in 1956 by Donald M. Hunten, Franklin E. Roach, and Joseph W. Chamberlain. It is named for John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh (1842–1919). Its symbol is R (also used for the röntgen, an unrelated unit). SI prefixes are used with the rayleigh. One rayleigh (1 R) is defined as a column emission rate of 10 photons per square metre per column per second. Note that rayleigh is an apparent emission rate, as no allowances have been made for