CIE A Level Physics复习笔记7.1.2 Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope

• A Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope is a laboratory instrument used to display, measure and analyse waveforms of electrical circuits
• An A.C. current on an oscilloscope is represented as a transverse wave. Therefore you can determine its frequency and amplitude
• The x-axis is the time and the y-axis is the voltage (or y-gain)

Diagram of Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope display showing wavelength and time-base setting

• The period of the wave can be determined from the time-base This is how many seconds each division represents measured commonly in s div^-1 or s cm^-1
• Use as many wavelengths shown on the screen as possible to reduce uncertainties
• Dividing the total time by the number of wavelengths will give the time period T (Time taken for one complete oscillation)
• The frequency is then determined through 1/T