Final answer:
AC power in North America operates at 60 cycles per second or 60 Hz, with a cycle referring to the alternating sinusoidal wave's complete oscillation from positive to negative.
Step-by-step explanation:
In North America, AC power is produced at a frequency of 60 cycles per second, which is also known as 60 Hertz (Hz). The frequency of alternating current (AC) is an important characteristic as it determines the rate at which the current cycles. A higher frequency allows for the design of lighter-weight equipment, which is why military aircraft use 400-Hz AC power. As for the time for one complete cycle of this higher frequency power, it would be the inverse of the frequency. For 400 Hz, the time for one complete cycle would be 1/400 of a second.