What primarily determines the frequency of oscillation in an RC oscillator?

The frequency of oscillation in an RC oscillator is primarily determined by the resistor and capacitor values used in the circuit. In an RC oscillator, the timing of the oscillation is governed by the charge and discharge cycles of the capacitor through the resistor. The time constant, represented by the product of resistance (R) and capacitance (C), directly influences how long it takes for the capacitor to charge to a certain voltage level. This time constant is critical in defining the oscillation period, which, when inverted, gives the frequency of the oscillation.

Thus, by selecting different resistor and capacitor values, you can precisely control the oscillation frequency of the RC oscillator, making these two components fundamental to its operation. While factors like inductance, transistor gain, and temperature can affect overall circuit performance, they do not directly dictate the core frequency of oscillation in the same way that the resistor and capacitor values do.