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Scientific and engineering terminology refers to cycles per second as Hertz (Hz). This unit of measurement is named after Heinrich Hertz, who made significant contributions to the study of electromagnetic waves. In this context, "cycles per second" is an essential concept in various fields such as physics and engineering, particularly when discussing frequency, such as sound waves, radio waves, and alternating current.

Hertz provides a standardized way to express the frequency of periodic events, allowing for consistent communication of information. For example, if a sound wave vibrates 440 times per second, it is said to have a frequency of 440 Hz, which is recognized as the standard pitch for musical tuning.

Other terms in the options refer to different physical concepts. For example, a Watt measures power, which is the rate of energy transfer, while a Joule represents energy itself. A Decibel is a unit used to express the intensity of sound or the power level of an electrical signal on a logarithmic scale. Each of these units serves its specific purpose, but none accurately describe the measurement of cycles per second, highlighting why Hertz is the correct choice.