What type of waveform is produced at the collectors of an astable multivibrator?

An astable multivibrator is designed to operate as an oscillator, and it produces a continuous square wave signal. This configuration does not have a stable state; instead, it constantly switches between two unstable states, generating a waveform that alternates between high and low voltages.

The square wave output is essential for various applications, such as clock pulses in digital circuits and timing elements in various electronic devices. It is characterized by its rapid transitions between the high and low states, which creates a distinct rectangular shape in its graphical representation. This rapid switching action defines the square wave, contrasting it with other waveform types like sinusoidal or triangular waves that have different characteristics in terms of frequency, shape, and rise and fall times.

Thus, the nature of the output from the collectors of an astable multivibrator aligns perfectly with the definition and properties of a square wave, confirming that this is indeed the correct choice.