Physics Factsheet

www.curriculum-press.co.uk Number 129

Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

A Cathode Ray Oscilloscope (CRO) is a useful tool for investigating alternating potential difference. The following points are covered in
this Factsheet:
finding the period and frequency of an alternating signal;
choosing the correct CRO sensitivity;
calculating peak and rms potential difference;
Lissajous figures and beats are explained, different wave-forms discussed and AC power calculations demonstrated.

Fig 1. Dual beam oscilloscope

potential
Time sensitivity per division
difference

time

Potential difference sensitivity

per division

Inside a CRO a beam of electrons passes through an evacuated After the p.d. is applied, the beam moves 3cm upwards. What is the
glass tube and hits a fluorescent screen. Applying an alternating p.d. of the cell? The sensitivity of the y-plates can be varied. In
potential difference produces a wave-form on the screen. This figure 2, the sensitivity is set to 1V cm-1. This tells us the p.d. of the
wave-form can be used to find the period and frequency of the cell is 3V.
signal as well as the peak and average potential difference. Two
pairs of deflecting metal plates inside the oscilloscope are crucial. How would a sinusoidally alternating potential difference appear
on the screen? The p.d. of the y-plates would therefore vary
The y-plates sinusoidally and the trace is given in Fig 3.
The y-plates can deflect the electron beam up or down, in the y- Fig 3. Aleternating potential difference (no x-deflection)
direction.
Fig 2. Applying a constant p.d. to an oscilloscope OCR Screen
The sensitivity of the y-plates in
CRO Screen this case is 0.020 Vcm-1. What is
Alternating
the maximum observed potential
potential
difference difference according to this
+ Y plate deflected trace trace?

Beam of The trace reaches approximately

electrons 3.1cm from the origin, giving a
- Y plate orginal trace maximum peak to trough p.d. of
0.062 V.

External cell
Peak potential peak height oscilloscope p.d.
=
difference in cm sensitivity
A constant p.d. is applied to the y-plates of an oscilloscope. The
original, undeflected beam is shown in the centre of the screen.
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129. Cathode Ray Oscilloscope Physics Factsheet

The x-plates
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.
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.

Deflection in the x-direction is useful to study alternating potential Exam Hint: More precise potential differences can be measured
difference: from an oscilloscope by choosing a sensitivity such that the
In Fig 4 the same alternating potential difference is shown, with an trace has a large range in the y-direction.
x-deflection timebase.
Two inputs are shown in Fig 6.
Fig 4. Alternating potential difference (with x-deflection)
Fig 6. Oscilloscope sensitivity
CRO Screen CRO Screen

alternating
potential
difference

If the x-sensitivity is 0.02s cm-1, what is the period of this signal?

The wavelength is 7cm, giving a period of 0.14s.
What is the frequency of this signal? The signals have been deflected up and down to make it easier to
Frequency = 1 / 0.14s = 7.14Hz. measure the period. How precisely can we calculate the periods?
Again assume we can make measurements to a precision of 0.1cm.
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
Two separate traces are shown in Fig 5. 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
Choose an oscilloscope timebase scale so one full
wave has the widest possible range in the x-direction.

Fig 7. Time sensitivity (Time/div)

Example question: What time per
division should be used to precisely
determine the period of an alternating
signal that has a frequency of around
1600Hz?
Answer: The period is approximately
1/1600Hz = 6.2510-4s.

Most oscilloscopes have a 10cm wide screen. We need to select

the time/division so that at least one full wavelength appears on
the screen. Each cm should represent at least 6.2510-5s, or 63s.
The 50s setting would not show a complete wave, so we choose
the 0.1ms setting.

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129. Cathode Ray Oscilloscope Physics Factsheet

Phase difference: Lissajous figures

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.
Fig 8. Lissajous figures

x-deflection y-deflection overall trace x-deflection y-deflection overall trace x-deflection y-deflection overall trace
Two signals in phase Two signals 900 out of phase Two signals 1800 out of phase

When the two inputs are in phase, there would be a large amplitude
Lissajous figures represent phase difference between
peak. However, the two inputs would cancel when they are 180o
two signals:
degrees out of phase with each other.
In phase = /
180o out of phase = \ Fig 10. Beats: combination of two inputs with similar
90o degree out of phase, different amplitudes = 0
frequency
90o out of phase, identical amplitudes =

Frequency difference: Beats

In Fig 9, inputs 1 and 2 have similar frequencies. To compare the
two inputs, you could use a dual beam oscilloscope. The resulting
combined trace is shown in the figure. Input 1 moves slowly out of
phase from input 2 and then moves slowly back into phase.
waves in phase, large waves out of phase, small
resulting amplitude resulting amplitude
Fig 9. Two signals with similar frequency

Input 1 Different waveforms

Look at the three traces in Fig 11. Can you think of a way of altering
the original signal to produce the second trace?
Fig 11. Different wave-forms
Orginal signal rectification
Input 2

Half wave rectification

Input 1 and 2

Full wave rectification

How would this look if both inputs were applied to a single channel,
with just a single trace?

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129. Cathode Ray Oscilloscope

A diode is used to allow current in one direction only. A network of Practice Questions
four diodes is used to produce the third trace. 1. Draw a 20Hz, 30Vrms signal on an oscilloscope screen, choosing
appropriate p.d. and time scales.
Fig 12. How to achieve half and full-wave rectification
2. Describe and explain the Lissajous figure caused by two signals
with identical amplitude and frequency that are 90o out of phase
with each other.

Alternating input
Half wave rectifier circuit
load
3. What time/division setting would you choose to precisely
load
determine the period of a 2000Hz signal?
4. What V/division setting would you choose to precisely determine
the peak p.d. of a signal where V0 is about 1.3mV?
Full wave rectifier circuit
5. Describe the action of the x-plates for timebase mode.

6. Explain, using a diagram, the principle of beats.

7. What is the power of a circuit where V0 = 130V and R=1k?

Alternating input 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 Negative potential Answers

difference 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
Vrms = V0/ 2. 3. 2000Hz Frequency
Period = 1/2000 = 510-4s or 500S.
The relationship between peak,V0, and average, Vrms, Time/ div = 50S
potential difference is given by Vrms = V0/ 2.
4. V0 = 1.3mV
V/div around 1.3mV/5cm = 0.26mV/div is required
Example question: If Vrms in the UK mains supply is 240V, what Most oscilloscopes can achieve around 1mV/div sensitivity
is the peak p.d?
5. In text
Answer: Vrms 2 = V0 240V 2 = 339V.
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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