Oscilloscope: functions and interpretation MCQs

1. The primary function of an oscilloscope is to:

A. Measure the current in a circuit
B. Display the waveform of an electrical signal
C. Measure voltage drop across a resistor
D. Measure resistance of a component

Answer: B. Display the waveform of an electrical signal


2. Which of the following parameters can be measured using an oscilloscope?

A. Frequency
B. Amplitude
C. Waveform shape
D. All of the above

Answer: D. All of the above


3. The vertical axis of an oscilloscope display typically represents:

A. Time
B. Voltage
C. Frequency
D. Current

Answer: B. Voltage


4. The horizontal axis of an oscilloscope display typically represents:

A. Voltage
B. Time
C. Current
D. Frequency

Answer: B. Time


5. When using an oscilloscope, what does the ‘time/div’ control adjust?

A. The vertical scaling (amplitude)
B. The horizontal scaling (time)
C. The intensity of the display
D. The frequency of the signal

Answer: B. The horizontal scaling (time)


6. What is the purpose of the ‘trigger’ feature in an oscilloscope?

A. To synchronize the waveform display
B. To change the time scale
C. To adjust the waveform’s amplitude
D. To measure the signal’s frequency

Answer: A. To synchronize the waveform display


7. Which of the following is the most common type of oscilloscope display?

A. Analog
B. Digital
C. Mixed-signal
D. LED

Answer: B. Digital


8. In an oscilloscope, what does the ‘volts/div’ control adjust?

A. The voltage reference for triggering
B. The vertical scaling (voltage amplitude)
C. The time reference for triggering
D. The horizontal scaling (time duration)

Answer: B. The vertical scaling (voltage amplitude)


9. Which of the following is used to probe the signal being measured in an oscilloscope?

A. A test lead
B. A probe
C. A capacitor
D. A multimeter

Answer: B. A probe


10. The ‘holdoff’ function in an oscilloscope helps to:

A. Stabilize the waveform
B. Remove noise from the signal
C. Delay the triggering event
D. Change the trigger level

Answer: C. Delay the triggering event


11. What does an oscilloscope display when measuring a pure DC signal?

A. A constant horizontal line
B. A sinusoidal wave
C. A square wave
D. A sawtooth wave

Answer: A. A constant horizontal line


12. In an oscilloscope, a signal with a frequency of 50 Hz will have a period of:

A. 50 ms
B. 100 ms
C. 200 ms
D. 20 ms

Answer: B. 100 ms


13. If the time/div setting of an oscilloscope is 1 ms and the signal occupies 4 divisions horizontally, the period of the signal is:

A. 1 ms
B. 4 ms
C. 0.25 ms
D. 0.5 ms

Answer: B. 4 ms


14. The function of an oscilloscope’s ‘XY mode’ is to:

A. Measure both voltage and current simultaneously
B. Display the relationship between two signals
C. Display a signal’s frequency response
D. Show a spectrum of frequencies

Answer: B. Display the relationship between two signals


15. When interpreting an oscilloscope display, a square wave indicates that the signal is:

A. A constant voltage
B. Changing polarity periodically
C. A random noise signal
D. A sinusoidal wave

Answer: B. Changing polarity periodically


16. Which of the following types of signals would an oscilloscope be least effective at measuring?

A. Sinusoidal signals
B. Square waves
C. Constant DC signals
D. DC ripple in power supplies

Answer: C. Constant DC signals


17. The maximum frequency that an oscilloscope can measure is determined by its:

A. Sampling rate
B. Time base
C. Voltage range
D. Input impedance

Answer: A. Sampling rate


18. What happens when an oscilloscope’s time/div setting is too large for a high-frequency signal?

A. The signal will appear as a very narrow spike
B. The signal will be displayed with a low resolution
C. The signal will be displayed as a sinusoidal wave
D. The signal will be shown as a straight line

Answer: B. The signal will be displayed with a low resolution


19. Which oscilloscope feature is used to stabilize a noisy signal or waveform?

A. Time base
B. Vertical scaling
C. Triggering
D. Voltage reference

Answer: C. Triggering


20. In an oscilloscope, what does the term ‘bandwidth’ refer to?

A. The range of frequencies the oscilloscope can accurately display
B. The time required to acquire a waveform
C. The amplitude range of the signal
D. The maximum voltage the oscilloscope can handle

Answer: A. The range of frequencies the oscilloscope can accurately display

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