Oscilloscope

If you have ever looked at a graph showing alternating voltage against time, you may wonder how this sinusoidal wave-like shape was created using a typical analogue voltmeter. In truth, you can't record the data needed to make this graph unless you use an apparatus called an oscilloscope. We can analyse most types of waves, including sound waves, with an oscilloscope. We simply need to convert the signals into a format that can be understood by the oscilloscope.

Get started

Millions of flashcards designed to help you ace your studies

Sign up for free
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The peak-to-peak voltage in an oscilloscope is found by measuring the distance between ______ on the graph.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What is used to convert sound energy into electrical energy so that signal can be processed by an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) can be used to store images of the waveform.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Oscilloscopes can be used to locate faults in an electric circuit.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What particle is fired onto the screen via the cathode ray tube in a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

An oscilloscope is used to measure brain activity in electrocardiograms (ECG).

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) takes a digital signal as input and converts it into an analogue signal.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What is the unit of measurement for the voltage sensitivity in an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

If we multiply the number of divisions from the highest point to the lowest point on the oscilloscope graph by the voltage sensitivity, we get the peak-to-peak voltage.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Which of the following quantities cannot be measured with an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Which of the following sound wave properties cannot be directly measured using an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The peak-to-peak voltage in an oscilloscope is found by measuring the distance between ______ on the graph.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What is used to convert sound energy into electrical energy so that signal can be processed by an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) can be used to store images of the waveform.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Oscilloscopes can be used to locate faults in an electric circuit.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What particle is fired onto the screen via the cathode ray tube in a cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO)?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

An oscilloscope is used to measure brain activity in electrocardiograms (ECG).

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

The digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) takes a digital signal as input and converts it into an analogue signal.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

What is the unit of measurement for the voltage sensitivity in an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

If we multiply the number of divisions from the highest point to the lowest point on the oscilloscope graph by the voltage sensitivity, we get the peak-to-peak voltage.

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Which of the following quantities cannot be measured with an oscilloscope?

Show Answer
  • + Add tag
  • Immunology
  • Cell Biology
  • Mo

Which of the following sound wave properties cannot be directly measured using an oscilloscope?

Show Answer

Review generated flashcards

Sign up for free
You have reached the daily AI limit

Start learning or create your own AI flashcards

StudySmarter Editorial Team

Team Oscilloscope Teachers

  • 9 minutes reading time
  • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
Save Article Save Article
Contents
Contents

Jump to a key chapter

    Definition of oscilloscope

    We need to begin to understand what an oscilloscope is and how it operates. The best place to start is with the definition.

    An oscilloscope is a device used to measure the variation of an electronic signal with time. It takes a time-varying input signal from a power source or circuit component and displays the signal on a screen that can measure voltages and times using a waveform.

    Types of oscilloscopes

    There are two main types of oscilloscopes; a digital oscilloscope or digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) and a cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO). They both have the same function but carry it out in different ways.

    Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO)

    The cathode ray oscilloscope makes use of a cathode ray tube that fires electrons onto the screen of the oscilloscope. The screen is coated with phosphorus that is excited when electrons are incident upon it and releases energy in the form of light which we observe as a bright dot on the screen. If a signal is passed through the CRO (AC voltage, for example), then the electron beam from the cathode moves relative to imposed electric and magnetic fields.

    An electric field is a region in space where a charged particle will feel a force.

    A magnetic field is a region in space where a moving charge or permanent magnet feels a force.

    The electrons are then deflected by the electric and magnetic fields in a region between two deflecting plates. The moving electrons strike the screen at different points and hence a pattern representing the voltage will be created (it would be sinusoidal in the case of AC). Any adjustments to the input voltage or frequency will change the strength of the applied fields, creating a different waveform on the screen. The waveform can be used to make direct measurements of voltage (mV), frequency (MHz), period (ms) and other electrical quantities. The figure below is an example of a cathode ray oscilloscope.

    Oscilloscope Cathode ray oscilloscope StudySmarterAn image of a typical cathode ray oscilloscope (CRO) with a signal represented on the phosphor-coated screen on the left. On the right-hand side is the controls that allow adjustment of the scale of the image.

    Digital Storage Oscilloscope (DSO)

    The digital storage oscilloscope is the more modern of the two types of oscilloscopes. It takes an analogue signal as input and uses sophisticated signal-processing software to convert this into a digital signal. It can store the waveform pattern in memory and convert it into a digital image that can be viewed on an LCD screen. Deflecting plates, electric fields and magnetic fields are hence not required. The DSO can also be connected to a printer to obtain a print-out of any signal stored in memory, or the image could even be stored on a USB drive. As with the CRO, the waveform in the DSO can be used to make measurements of voltage(mV), frequency(MHz)etc. The image below shows a typical DSO.

    Oscilloscope Digital storage oscilloscope StudySmarterAn image of a modern digital storage oscilloscope with a signal displayed on an LCD screen. These oscilloscopes are slowly replacing the typical CROs due to their ability to store and transfer data.

    Uses of the oscilloscope

    There are many uses of the oscilloscope but we will mention only three below; testing circuits, electrocardiograms and analysing sound waves.

    Uses of the oscilloscope: Testing Circuits

    The oscilloscope is a device that is quite often found in the laboratories of schools and is used to demonstrate the sinusoidal behaviour of alternating currents (AC). There is, however, a much more practical use for an oscilloscope; to test an electric circuit. Oscilloscopes can be used to determine the location of a fault or simply to test currents in and out of different points of a circuit. This is done by using the oscilloscope to measure the peak voltage, period, frequency and other electric quantities of an AC power source.

    Alternating current (AC) is produced when an electric current (electrons) oscillates back and forth in a circuit but the energy still flows in one direction.

    The illustration below shows what the display on an oscilloscope looks like.

    Oscilloscope An illustation of an Oscilloscope StudySmarterAn illustration of the output on an oscilloscope. The divisions on the screen serve as equal intervals on a graph, allowing the voltage to be measured, Public Domain Vectors

    The line shown on the screen represents a typical sinusoidal/alternating voltage and the divisions on the screen can be used to measure that voltage at different times.

    Uses of the oscilloscope: Electrocardiograms (ECGs)

    Electric circuits are not the only sources of electric currents; our bodies produce tiny electric currents that can be measured and monitored using oscilloscopes. In a hospital, electrodes of an electrocardiogram (ECG) are connected to patients whose frequency of heartbeats is to be monitored. Each heartbeat of a patient produces a small, but measurable current which can be detected by a digital oscilloscope.

    The waveform is created by measuring the tiny voltages across the heart during each heartbeat and so the doctor is reading a real-time graph of voltage vs time. The separation between the voltage peaks is a measurement of the frequency of heartbeats. ECGs can also be used as a tool to predict possible future problems with the heart. ECGs do not produce sinusoidal graphs since heartbeats have a relaxation time in between beats and a complex beat signal, as is evident in the figure below.

    Oscilloscope Electrocardiogram waves StudySmarterAn ECG waveform on an oscilloscope screen. The pulses on the screen are periodic due to the natural rhythm of a typical heartbeat.

    Uses of the oscilloscope: Sound Waves

    As we already know, sound waves are caused by vibrating air molecules and do not require an electric current to form. We can, however, measure sound wave properties using an oscilloscope. An audio signal can be converted via a transducer to an electrical signal (a series of voltages) which the oscilloscope can decode and represent on the screen.

    A transducer is an electrical component that can convert energy from one form to another.

    CROs and digital oscilloscopes can both be used to decode and represent sound waves. The oscilloscope can be used to measure the amplitude, frequency, and period of a sound wave. The diagram below shows a setup consisting of a sound-wave generator that creates sound waves transmitted via a speaker and detected by an oscilloscope which gives a visual representation of the sound waves.

    Oscilloscope Diagram showing the connections of an oscilloscope StudySmarterA setup that includes a sound-wave generator creating sound waves emitted by a speaker and represented on-screen by an oscilloscope. This simple setup can be used to determine the properties of the sound waves produced, Wikimedia Commons CC BY-SA 3.0

    Oscilloscope example and graph

    In the image of an AC voltage shown on the oscilloscope below, the voltage sensitivity is set at2.0volts per division. Calculate the peak voltage of the signal.

    Oscilloscope A visual that shows an Oscilloscope reading StudySmarterAn example of an AC voltage against time graph represented on an oscilloscope screen. The amplitude and period of this signal can be determined from this image, Adapted from image by JerichoTX CC BY-SA 3.0.

    Remember, this is a voltage-time graph. The peak voltage is the voltage measured from the x-axis to the maximum value for voltage, but since the oscilloscope screen has no x-axis, we can measure the peak-to-peak voltage (highest point to lowest point) and divide this value by two. This is represented by the arrowed line in the figure below.

    Oscilloscope A visual that shows an Oscilloscope reading with peak values StudySmarterThe peak-to-peak voltage is the number of divisions from the highest to the lowest point on the oscilloscope graph multiplied by the volts-per-division setting. The peak voltage is half this value. Adapted from image by JerichoTX CC BY-SA 3.0.

    There are four divisions between the highest and lowest points on the oscilloscope graph and if we multiply this by the volts-per-division setting(2.0 V)we will get the peak-to-peak voltage as follows.

    Vpeak-to-peak=(2.0 V/div)×(4 div)=8.0 V

    We get a peak-to-peak voltage of8.0 Vand then need to divide this value by two to get the peak voltage of this AC signal.

    Vpeak=(Vpeak-to-peak)/2=(8.0 V)/2=4.0 V

    The alternating current, therefore, has a peak voltage of4.0 V.

    Oscilloscope - Key takeaways

    • An oscilloscope is a device used to measure the variation of an electronic signal with time.
    • It takes a time-varying input signal and displays the signal on a screen using a waveform.
    • The waveform can be used to measure the voltage, frequency and period of the signal.
    • The two types of oscilloscope are the digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) and the cathode-ray oscilloscope (CRO).
    • The CRO makes use of a cathode ray tube that fires electrons onto the screen of the oscilloscope.
    • If a signal is passed through the CRO, then the electrons move relative to electric and magnetic fields.
    • The DSO takes an analogue signal as input and converts this into a digital signal.
    • The DSO can be used to store an image of the waveform.
    • An oscilloscope is used to measure heartbeat frequency in electrocardiograms (ECG).
    • Oscilloscopes can be used to measure sound wave properties using a transducer.
    • The amplitude, period and frequency of a sound wave can be determined.
    • Oscilloscope screens do not have axes so we have to read the voltage sensitivity (volts-per-division).
    • The number of divisions from the lowest point to the highest point of the graph can be multiplied by the voltage sensitivity to get the peak-to-peak voltage.
    • The peak-to-peak voltage divided by two is the peak voltage of the signal.
    Frequently Asked Questions about Oscilloscope

    What is an oscilloscope? 

    An oscilloscope is a device used to measure the variation of an electronic signal with time.

    What does an oscilloscope show? 

    Oscilloscopes take a time-varying input signal from a power source or circuit component and display the signal on a screen that can measure voltages and times.

    What does an oscilloscope measure? 

    The oscilloscope waveform can be used to make direct measurements of the voltage, frequency and period of an input signal.

    What is an example of oscilloscope? 

    Cathode ray oscilloscopes (CRO) and digital storage oscilloscopes (DSO) are two examples of oscilloscopes.

    What are the types of oscilloscope? 

    Cathode ray oscilloscopes (CRO) and digital storage oscilloscopes (DSO) are two types of oscilloscopes.

    Save Article

    Test your knowledge with multiple choice flashcards

    The peak-to-peak voltage in an oscilloscope is found by measuring the distance between ______ on the graph.

    What is used to convert sound energy into electrical energy so that signal can be processed by an oscilloscope?

    The digital storage oscilloscope (DSO) can be used to store images of the waveform.

    Next

    Discover learning materials with the free StudySmarter app

    Sign up for free
    1
    About StudySmarter

    StudySmarter is a globally recognized educational technology company, offering a holistic learning platform designed for students of all ages and educational levels. Our platform provides learning support for a wide range of subjects, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Languages and also helps students to successfully master various tests and exams worldwide, such as GCSE, A Level, SAT, ACT, Abitur, and more. We offer an extensive library of learning materials, including interactive flashcards, comprehensive textbook solutions, and detailed explanations. The cutting-edge technology and tools we provide help students create their own learning materials. StudySmarter’s content is not only expert-verified but also regularly updated to ensure accuracy and relevance.

    Learn more
    StudySmarter Editorial Team

    Team Physics Teachers

    • 9 minutes reading time
    • Checked by StudySmarter Editorial Team
    Save Explanation Save Explanation

    Study anywhere. Anytime.Across all devices.

    Sign-up for free

    Sign up to highlight and take notes. It’s 100% free.

    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App

    The first learning app that truly has everything you need to ace your exams in one place

    • Flashcards & Quizzes
    • AI Study Assistant
    • Study Planner
    • Mock-Exams
    • Smart Note-Taking
    Join over 22 million students in learning with our StudySmarter App
    Sign up with Email