Waveforms are visual representations of how a signal changes over time. They show the amplitude, or strength, of a signal at different points, which helps us understand its behavior. Common examples of waveforms include those produced by musical instruments, like a guitar, or electronic devices, such as speakers.
Different types of waveforms, like sine waves, square waves, and triangle waves, have unique shapes and characteristics. These shapes can affect how we perceive sound and other signals. For instance, a sine wave produces a smooth sound, while a square wave creates a more abrupt, choppy sound. Understanding waveforms is essential in fields like music, engineering, and telecommunications.