Define oscilloscope .

A device used to study a rapidly changing signal, such as a sound wave or alternating current , by displaying it as a waveform on a screen.

On an oscilloscope screen, what do the x-axis and y-axis represent?

The x-axis represents time ; the y-axis represents voltage (y-gain).

How is the p.d. (amplitude) of a waveform measured on an oscilloscope?

Count the number of divisions from the centre of the wave to its peak (or trough), then multiply by the y-gain setting in volts/div.

How is the time period of a wave measured using an oscilloscope's time-base?

Count the number of divisions between one point on a wave and the equivalent point on the next wave, then multiply by the time-base setting in s/div.

On an oscilloscope, the time-base is measured in seconds per division ( ______ ), and the y-gain is measured in volts per division ( ______ ).

On an oscilloscope, the time-base is measured in seconds per division ( s/div ), and the y-gain is measured in volts per division ( volts/div ).

True or False? A sound wave picked up by a microphone is displayed on an oscilloscope as a longitudinal wave.

False. Although sound is a longitudinal wave, the oscilloscope displays it as though it were a transverse wave.

O LevelPhysicsCambridge (CIE)Flashcards4. Electricity & Magnetism4.6 Uses of an Oscilloscope

4.6 Uses of an Oscilloscope (Cambridge (CIE) O Level Physics): Flashcards

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FrontUses of an Oscilloscope
Define oscilloscope.

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Define oscilloscope.
A device used to study a rapidly changing signal, such as a sound wave or alternating current, by displaying it as a waveform on a screen.
On an oscilloscope screen, what do the x-axis and y-axis represent?
The x-axis represents time; the y-axis represents voltage (y-gain).
How is the p.d. (amplitude) of a waveform measured on an oscilloscope?
Count the number of divisions from the centre of the wave to its peak (or trough), then multiply by the y-gain setting in volts/div.
How is the time period of a wave measured using an oscilloscope's time-base?
Count the number of divisions between one point on a wave and the equivalent point on the next wave, then multiply by the time-base setting in s/div.
How is frequency calculated from an oscilloscope trace?
Use as many wavelengths as possible to find the time period T, then calculate
$f = \frac{1}{T}$
where f is the frequency in hertz (Hz) and T is the time period in seconds (s).
On an oscilloscope, the time-base is measured in seconds per division (______), and the y-gain is measured in volts per division (______).
On an oscilloscope, the time-base is measured in seconds per division (s/div), and the y-gain is measured in volts per division (volts/div).
True or False?
A sound wave picked up by a microphone is displayed on an oscilloscope as a longitudinal wave.
False.
Although sound is a longitudinal wave, the oscilloscope displays it as though it were a transverse wave.

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