• A Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope is a laboratory instrument used to display, measure and analyse waveforms of electrical circuits
• An A.C. current on an oscilloscope is represented as a transverse wave. Therefore you can determine its frequency and amplitude
• The x-axis is the?time?and the y-axis is the?voltage (or?y-gain)

Diagram of Cathode-Ray Oscilloscope display showing wavelength and time-base setting

• The period of the wave can be determined from the?time-base?This is?how many seconds each division represents?measured commonly in?s div^-1?or?s cm^-1
• Use as many wavelengths shown on the screen as possible to reduce uncertainties
• Dividing the total time by the number of wavelengths will give the time period?T?(Time taken for one complete oscillation)
• The?frequency?is then determined through?1/T