What Is An Oscilloscope Used To Measure? - Science | HowStuffWorks

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HowStuffWorks Science Environmental Science Energy Production What is an oscilloscope used to measure?

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An oscilloscope measures two things:

• Voltage
• Time (and with time, often, frequency)

An electron beam is swept across a phosphorescent screen horizontally (X direction) at a known rate (perhaps one sweep per millisecond). An input signal is used to change the position of the beam in the Y direction. The trace left behind can be used to measure the voltage of the input signal (off the Y axis) and the duration or frequency can be read off the X axis.

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• How Television Works
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• The Oscilloscope
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• Oscilloscope FAQ
• Types of Oscilloscope

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