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Number 129
potential
difference
time
After the p.d. is applied, the beam moves 3cm upwards. What is the
p.d. of the cell? The sensitivity of the y-plates can be varied. In
figure 2, the sensitivity is set to 1V cm-1. This tells us the p.d. of the
cell is 3V.
The y-plates
The y-plates can deflect the electron beam up or down, in the ydirection.
OCR Screen
CRO Screen
+ Y plate
Beam of
electrons
- Y plate
Alternating
potential
difference
deflected trace
orginal trace
External cell
Peak potential
=
difference
peak height
oscilloscope p.d.
in cm
sensitivity
Physics Factsheet
How precisely can the peak p.d. for each signal be determined?
Assume oscilloscope readings can be made to a precision of 0.1cm.
The lower p.d. trace is approximately 0.5cm but could be between
0.4 and 0.6cm; 20% uncertainty. The higher p.d. trace is around 3.0
cm but could be between 2.9 and 3.1cm or 3% uncertainty.
The second pair of plates can deflect the beam in the x-direction.
These are normally used to show time, as they can scan the beam
from left to right across the screen at varying rates. This is not very
useful with a constant p.d, giving a horizontal straight line.
CRO Screen
CRO Screen
alternating
potential
difference
Frequency = 1/ Period
One full wavelength on the lower trace spans around 1.5cm, although
this could be between 1.4 and 1.6cm. The period of the lower signal
can be determined with an uncertainty of 7%. One full wavelength
on the upper trace spans around 4.2cm, although this could be
between 4.1 and 4.3 cm. The upper signal can be determined to a
precision of 2%.
CRO Screen
Physics Factsheet
Take two identical alternating inputs; apply one to the x-plates and one to the y-plates. The resulting single trace displays the relationship
between the two signals.
When the two inputs are in phase, there would be a large amplitude
peak. However, the two inputs would cancel when they are 180o
degrees out of phase with each other.
Different waveforms
Input 1
Look at the three traces in Fig 11. Can you think of a way of altering
the original signal to produce the second trace?
How would this look if both inputs were applied to a single channel,
with just a single trace?
load
load
load
Alternating input
load
8. With what precision can you determine the peak of a 10V signal
where V/div = 10V/cm and 2V/cm?
positive potential
difference
Answers
Negative potential
difference
1. V0 = Vrms 2 = 30 2 =42.4V
Frequency = 20Hz
Period = 1 / Frequency = 1/20 = 0.05s
Peak and average potential difference
P.d. scale: 42.4V over 5cm of screen so p.d. sensitivity of over
The relationship between power, current and potential difference is
8.5V/div is required: 10V/div
P=IV. We can use V/R=I to substitute for I in the power equation,
Time scale: period = 0.05s
giving P=V2/R.
One full wave across 10cm screen, time/div of 0.005s or 5ms is
required.
But potential difference continually varies with an alternating input:
which p.d. do we use? We use an average p.d., known as Vrms.
2. In text.
The relationship between the peak p.d. V0 and this average p.d. is
3. 2000Hz Frequency
Vrms = V0/ 2.
Period = 1/2000 = 510-4s or 500S.
Time/ div = 50S
The relationship between peak,V0, and average, Vrms,
2.
potential difference is given by Vrms = V0/
4. V0 = 1.3mV
V/div around 1.3mV/5cm = 0.26mV/div is required
Most oscilloscopes can achieve around 1mV/div sensitivity
Example question: If Vrms in the UK mains supply is 240V, what
is the peak p.d?
5. In text
240V 2 = 339V.
Answer: Vrms 2 = V0
6. In text
7. P=Vrms2/R Vrms = V0/ 2 = 130/ 2 = 91.9V
91.9V2/1000 = 8.45W
8. 10V at 10V/div results in a 1cm peak
1cm 0.1cm = 10% precision
10V at 2V/div results in a 5cm peak
5cm 0.1cm = 2% precision
Acknowledgements:
This Physics Factsheet was researched and written by J Carter
The Curriculum Press,Bank House, 105 King Street,Wellington, Shropshire, TF1 1NU
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ISSN 1351-5136