• An?oscilloscope?is a device that can be used to study a rapidly?changing?signal, such as:
  • A?sound?wave
  • An?alternating?current

   

Oscilloscopes have lots of dials and buttons, but their main purpose is to display and measure changing signals like sound waves and alternating current

• When a microphone is connected to an oscilloscope, the (longitudinal) sound wave is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the screen
• The?time?base?(like the 'x-axis') is used to measure the?time?period?of the wave

A sound wave is displayed as though it were a transverse wave on the screen of the oscilloscope. The time base can be used to measure a full time period of the wave cycle

• The height of the wave (measured from the centre of the screen) is related to the?amplitude?of the sound
• The number of entire waves that appear on the screen is related to the?frequency?of the wave
  • If the frequency of the sound wave?increases,?more?waves are displayed on screen

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