Digital vs Analog Signals

Digital vs. Analog Signals

Standard: Construct an argument from evidence that digital and analog signals encode and transmit information differently.

By NaaJah Richardson

​Key Vocabulary (Part 1)

• Information: Data that is sent and received

• Encode: To convert information into a form that can be transmitted

• Transmit: To send information from one place to another

• Qualitative: Information that is described, not measured (e.g., color, shape)

​Key Vocabulary (Part 2)

• Communication devices: Tools like cell phones, GPS, Wi-Fi, and remotes

• Electromagnetic wave: A wave made of electric and magnetic fields

• Mechanical wave: A wave that moves through a medium like air or water

• Vacuum: A space with no matter (electromagnetic waves can travel through it)

• Crest: The top of a wave

• Rest position: Where the wave would be if it had no energy

• Displacement: How far something moves from its rest position

• Amplitude: The height of the wave from rest position

• Frequency: How often the wave repeats

• Wavelength: Distance from one crest to the next

Key Vocabulary (Part 3 - Wave Parts)

• A signal is a way to send information using waves.

• There are two main types: analog and digital.

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​What is a Signal?

• Use continuous waves

• Changes smoothly like a wave in the ocean

• Example: Old radios or record players

• Can lose quality with distance or noise

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​Analog Signals

• Use discrete values (like 1s and 0s)

• Changes in steps, not smoothly

• Example: Text messages, streaming videos

• More reliable over long distances

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​Digital Signals

How They Transmit Information

• Analog: Sound waves become continuous electrical signals

• Digital: Sounds/images become 1s and 0s (binary), then sent with electromagnetic waves

​Communication Devices & Signals

• Cell phones and GPS use digital signals

• Remote controls and Wi-Fi also use digital signals

• Radio can use analog signals

• All use electromagnetic waves to send energy without wires

​Why Digital is More Common Today

• Less noise

• Better quality

• Easy to store and copy

• Works better with computers and modern communication devices

Multiple Choice

An analog signal is sent in Discrete pulses in two states, on= 1 or off= 0.

• True
• False

Multiple Choice

Which type of signal is less susceptible to interference when transferred over distance?

• Digital

• Analog

Multiple Choice

What is true about a digital signal?

• They are easily distorted or affected by interference
• They take up more space
• They require more information
• They are generally considered more reliable

Multiple Choice

Analog signals are:

• continuous

• discrete

Multiple Choice

This smooth signal is:

• digital

• analog

Multiple Choice

Signals are composed of only two possible values: 0 or 1.

• Analog

• Digital

Multiple Choice

Examples: Photocopier, Landline Telephone, Cassette Tape

• Analog

• Digital