Voltage measurements are important because many sensors produce voltage signals that depend upon physical quantities.  However, many measurements produce time-varying signals.  A single measurement that produces a single number may not give you the information you need.  An oscilloscope is a voltage measurement device that allows you to see a portion of a signal that varies with time.  It gives you a plot of the voltage vs. time, and many modern oscilloscopes (or "scopes") have provision for moving the entire data set portrayed on the oscillscope to a computer (and eventually, to a computer file).

• Why learn about oscilloscopes?
• Oscilloscopes measure time-varying voltage signals.  Those signals could be produced by sensors (from temperature sensors to sensors for electrocadiograms).  However, they are produced, oscilloscopes are the instrument of choice for seeing, recording and measuring parameters of such signals.
• What should you know to learn about oscilloscopes?
• Since an oscilloscope measures voltage, you will be using basic facts about how to use basic instruments like voltmeters, and their limitations.
• Since oscilloscopes measure signals, you should know about how signals are represented.
• You need to know some basic concepts about how voltage is measured.
• What do you need to know about oscillscopes?
• You need to learn about how to use an osciloscope.
• You need to learn about features of oscilloscopes (sensitivity, input resistance, etc) that affect the quality of the measurements you make.
• How do you use oscilloscopes?
• You will use oscilloscopes in measurement situations where the time-variation of the signal is important.  Since that is a dynamic situation
• What if you need more information?
• Problems

        Here are some links to experiments you can do that will help you learn about basic measurements.

• Measuring Voltage with an Oscilloscope