Random sampling of an AC source: A tool to teach probabilistic observations

Abstract

An undergraduate level experiment is described to demonstrate the role of probabilistic observations in physics. A capacitor and a DC voltmeter are used to randomly sample an AC voltage source. The resulting probability distribution is analyzed to extract information about the AC source. Different characteristic probability distributions arising from various AC waveforms are calculated and experimentally measured. The reconstruction of the AC waveform is demonstrated from the measured probability distribution under certain restricted circumstances. The results are also compared with a simulated data sample. We propose this as a pedagogical tool to teach probabilistic measurements and their manipulations.