Final answer:
The period of a signal is the time for one complete cycle, often expressed in milliseconds. In practical terms, it is crucial for the operation of devices like cyclotrons to synchronize particle acceleration.
Step-by-step explanation:
The period of a signal refers to the time it takes to complete one full cycle of the waveform. In the context of the question, the period is the time per cycle often expressed in milliseconds (ms). For example, a signal with a frequency of 2.0 MHz has a period of 5.0 × 10-7 seconds, or 500 nanoseconds. In practical applications like a cyclotron, the period (denoted as T) determines how the polarity of components is switched to ensure that charged particles are accelerated effectively.