Digital vs. Analog Signals

Front

Signal Noun

---

[sig-nuhl]

Back

Signal

---

A wave pulse that can be transmitted or received to carry a message or information from one point to another.

---

Example: Sound waves are converted into radio signals and transmitted to an antenna.

Front

Analog Signal Noun

---

[an-uh-log sig-nuhl]

Back

Analog Signal

---

A signal made up of continuously streaming data, where the value of the signal varies smoothly and constantly over time.

---

Example: A wave diagram showing continuous variation, illustrating how analog signals change smoothly over time.

Front

Digital Signal Noun

---

[dij-i-tuhl sig-nuhl]

Back

Digital Signal

---

A signal that sends information in discrete segments or intervals using two or more distinct values, like on and off.

---

Example: A digital signal shown as a series of 0s and 1s, representing on/off states over time.

Front

Binary Code Noun

---

[by-nair-ee kohd]

Back

Binary Code

---

A language used by computers to communicate information, representing data using only two symbols, typically the digits 0 and 1.

---

Example: The image shows how binary digits represent powers of two to form a number.

Front

Modem Noun

---

[moh-duhm]

Back

Modem

---

A device that converts digital signals into analog signals for transmission and converts received analog signals back into digital ones.

---

Example: The image shows modems converting digital signals to analog for transmission and back to digital, with labeled arrows.

Front

Frequency Noun

---

[free-kwuhn-see]

Back

Frequency

---

A characteristic of a wave that describes how often it varies or repeats over a certain amount of time.

---

Example: The image shows high and low frequency waves, demonstrating how often waves repeat over time.

Front

Electromagnetic Wave Noun

---

[uh-lek-troh-mag-net-ik weyv]

Back

Electromagnetic Wave

---

A type of wave, like visible light, that consists of electric and magnetic fields and can be transmitted through space.

---

Example: Shows electric and magnetic fields in electromagnetic waves, highlighting how they propagate through space.