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Grade 11 Chapter 21 Physics

ogcse and o level notes

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Kallee Benedict
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29 views

Grade 11 Chapter 21 Physics

ogcse and o level notes

Uploaded by

Kallee Benedict
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CHAPTER 21 USES OF AN OSCILLOSOPE

In this chapter you will learn how to use an oscilloscope( also known as cathode ray oscilloscope) to
measure voltage, period and determine the frequency of signals fed to the oscilloscope.

What is an oscilloscope??
An oscilloscope has multiple functions. It measure and displays electrical signals, in wavefronts, on
screen.
What are oscilloscopes used for?
An oscilloscope are used as testing devices in the engineering field, to display signals such as the rate of
heartbeat through electrocardiogram( ECG) and to monitor patients heart beats through electrocardio-
gram( ECG) and to monitor patient recovery in the medical field and by scientist analyse various signals
from different devices like mobile phones and televisions.

An oscilloscope is shown below;


The wavefronts displayed on the screen of an oscilloscope can be adjusted by using the oscilloscope
setting. There are different wavefronts that are displayed on the screen of an oscilloscope.

Examples of oscilloscope:

OSCILLOSCOPE SETTINGS
There are various settings on the oscilloscope for manipulating the quality, position ans size of
signal(trace) displayed on the screen.

Y-sensitivity
The Y-sensitivity knob, known as the Y-gain controls the amplitude( y-axis) of the signals on the screen
and measures the vertical displacements of the signal in volts( v).
Example 1:
If Y-gain is set at 5 d/v on the oscilloscope this means that one division along the vertical, on the screen,
represents 5 V.

The maximum vertical displacement on the screen is known as the amplitude of the signal.

Amplitude of the signal = 2 divisions

The amplitude represents the peak voltage( maximum voltage) of the signal.

Z-gain setting = 5V/ div


1 div represent 5 V
2 div represents( 5 X 2) V

Hence, the signal has a weak voltage of 10 V.

The peak to peak voltage can also be determined as follows:


The peak to peak voltage represents 4 divisions on the screen.

Therefore, 4 Div represent( 5 x 4) V


Peak to peak voltage= 20 V
Example 2:
The same signal, as in example 1, is now displayed on the screen of the oscilloscope with different Y-gain
setting as shown below.

Amplitude of the signal= 4 division


Since the signal is considered, this means the peak voltage is equal to 10 V
Therefore 4, div represent 10 V
1 div represents( 10/4)= 2.5 V

Hence, the Y-gain setting is now at 2.5 V/div


The peak to peak voltage represents 8 divisions on the screen.

Therefore, 8 div represents( 2.5 x 8)


Peak to peak voltage = 20 V

Note
The Y-gain setting control the amplitude of the signal. A smaller Y-gain setting ( 2.5 V/div) indicates
larger amplitude of the signal on the screen and large Y-gain setting( 5 V/div) indicates smaller ampli-
tude.

X- sensitive
the X-sensitive knob, also known as the time-base , controls the horizontal displacement( x-axis) of the
signal on the screen and measures the time for the horizontal displacement in seconds( s),
milliseconds( ms) and microseconds( s). The period and frequency of the signal are usually determined y
using the time-base setting.
Note
 When calculating the frequency of the signal, the period must
be converted into second.
 With the new-base setting( 1 ms/ div) the period and the fre-
quency of the signal are still the same value as in example 1
above.
 Larger time-base setting( 2ms/ div) displays more cycles of the
signal and smaller time-base.
 Larger time-base setting( 2 ms/div) displays more cycles of the
signal.
 For larger time-base setting the signals are compressed and
for smaller time base setting the signal are widened.

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