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Information about Demonstrating the properties of waves on an Oscilloscope

This is a standard demonstration used in many schools and colleges to
demonstrate the basic principles of waves.

Setting Up

A signal generator is connected to an oscilloscope & a loudspeaker. Some
signal generators have two outputs:

   * one marked with a low value impedance e.g. 8 Ω
   * the other marked with a high value e.g 600 Ω.

In this case the high impedence output goes to the osciiloscope, the low to
the speaker. If there is only one output connection stackable 4mm plugs are
used to connect both devices to the signal generator.

The oscilloscope is adjusted so that there is a clear sine wave trace that
extend for about half the screen and has two or three clear waves visible
when the signal generator is set at a medium frequency and mid volume.

Demonstrating the Amplitude and Frequency

The advantage of setting the demonstration up in this manner over the more
traditional plugging a microphone into the input of the scope, is that the
signal generator produces perfect sine waves which keeps everything nice and
straightforward.

   * By changing the frequency of the signal generator the effect can be
     both seen on the 'scope and heard on the loud speaker.With a higher
     frquency showing more complete waves on the screen and a higher pitch
     of the sound.
   * By changine the attenuation (volume)of the signal generator the
     amplitude of the waveform on the scope can be seen to change & the
     loudness of the speaker sound changes.

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