The Operation of and Oscilloscope

• What is a Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) used for?

  To display, measure, and analyze waveforms
• How is an AC voltage represented on an oscilloscope?

  As a transverse wave

  
• What can be determined from an AC voltage waveform on an oscilloscope?

  Frequency, time period, and peak voltage
• How is a DC voltage represented on an oscilloscope?

  As a horizontal line at relevant voltage

  
• What do the x-axis and y-axis represent on an oscilloscope?

  X-axis: time; Y-axis: voltage
• How can the period of a wave be determined on an oscilloscope?

  From the time-base setting
• What does the time-base setting indicate?

  How many seconds each division represents
• How is the time period (T) calculated from the oscilloscope display?

  By dividing total time by number of wavelengths
• What happens when the time-base is switched off on an oscilloscope?

  Only a vertical line is seen
• What does the time-base control measure?

  Time in units of cm or div
• What does the voltage-gain control adjust?

  The vertical deflection or amplitude of the wave
• What is the peak voltage (V) on an oscilloscope?

  Maximum vertical displacement from time axis
• What is peak-to-peak voltage?

  Vertical displacement between minimum and maximum voltage
• What is displayed for a DC waveform on an oscilloscope?

  A horizontal line at the relevant voltage

  
• Why are time-base settings irrelevant for a DC waveform?

  There is no time period to measure
• What is the relevance of the voltage-gain setting for a DC voltage?

  It is used to read the value of the DC voltage
• If the time-base is set at $7 \mu s/mm$, how do you find the frequency of the sound wave?


  Calculate using the time period
• What is the range of the time-base control?

  100 ms to 1 μs per cm
• Why are unit conversions important in oscilloscope measurements?

  They are crucial for calculating time period and frequency
• What are the controls of a Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) for an AC waveform?

  • Time-base: adjusts time representation
  • Voltage-gain: adjusts amplitude of wave
• What are the differences in display between AC and DC voltages on a CRO?

  • AC voltage: transverse wave representation
  • DC voltage: horizontal line at voltage level
• How do you calculate frequency from a CRO display?

  1. Determine time period (T)
  2. Use formula: Frequency = $\frac{1}{T}$
• What is the significance of using multiple wavelengths on a CRO display?

  • Reduces uncertainties in measurements
  • Increases accuracy of time period calculation
• What is the typical unit for time-base settings on an oscilloscope?

  • Commonly in milliseconds (ms) or microseconds (μs)
• What happens when the voltage-gain is switched off on an oscilloscope?

  • Only a horizontal line on the time axis is seen

  
• What are the key features of the Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) display?

  • Displays waveforms of electrical circuits
  • Measures voltage and time period
  • Analyzes frequency and amplitude