Measure Light with an Oscilloscope

An oscilloscope is an instrument that graphs voltages over time.  Engineers and technicians use them to check voltage signals, especially ones that repeat too rapidly to measure with a simple voltmeter. 

In this activity, you will:

• Use an oscilloscope to graph the LED voltages over time.
• Examine how changing the duty cycle “looks” in an oscilloscope voltage vs. time graph.
• Use the Time/Div control to “zoom in” on the time axis to see more voltage “signal detail.”

Parts & Circuit

Same as Measure a Blinking Light with a Voltmeter (shown again below.)