When applying a pure AC signal input to a certain circuit, what waveform would be displayed on an oscilloscope?

Study for the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Element 3 Test. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions with hints and explanations. Get prepared for your exam today!

When a pure AC signal is applied to a circuit, the waveform displayed on an oscilloscope would typically be a sine wave. This is because pure AC voltage is characterized by a sinusoidal shape, which represents the alternating nature of the current flowing in the circuit. The sine wave is fundamental in AC systems as it demonstrates how the voltage and current change direction and magnitude over time in a smooth and continuous manner.

A sine wave exhibits periodic behavior, with a smooth curve that rises and falls, making it ideal for conveying the properties of AC signals, such as frequency and amplitude. This waveform is crucial in understanding the behavior of AC circuits and is the standard representation of alternating current.

Other waveforms, such as square waves, triangular waves, or rectangular waves, may occur in certain electronic circuits or in the presence of specific signal conditions, but they do not represent pure AC signals. Square waves contain multiple harmonics and have abrupt transitions, while triangular waves have linear rises and falls, neither of which corresponds to the smooth, cyclical nature of a sine wave.

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