Which statement best describes the horizontal controls on an oscilloscope?

Which statement best describes the horizontal controls on an oscilloscope?

• A. They adjust the amplitude sensitivity and input coupling
• B. They adjust the color and intensity of traces
• C. They adjust the time base (s/div) and triggering to position and stabilize the waveform along the time axis
• D. They adjust the DC offset of channels

Answer: (C)

Horizontal controls determine how time is shown on the screen. The time base (seconds per division) sets the scale along the horizontal axis, telling you how much time each division represents so you can zoom in on fast or slow events. The triggering controls start each sweep at a consistent point, which keeps the waveform from drifting left or right and makes the display stable over time. Together, they position and stabilize the waveform along the time axis. The other options relate to vertical aspects or display aesthetics (amplitude sensitivity and input coupling affect vertical size, color and intensity adjust display appearance, and DC offset shifts the signal vertically), not the timing and sweep stability.

Horizontal controls determine how time is shown on the screen. The time base (seconds per division) sets the scale along the horizontal axis, telling you how much time each division represents so you can zoom in on fast or slow events. The triggering controls start each sweep at a consistent point, which keeps the waveform from drifting left or right and makes the display stable over time. Together, they position and stabilize the waveform along the time axis. The other options relate to vertical aspects or display aesthetics (amplitude sensitivity and input coupling affect vertical size, color and intensity adjust display appearance, and DC offset shifts the signal vertically), not the timing and sweep stability.