Final answer:
c.) the data will be "clipped" and lost. When a signal exceeds a Data Acquisition System's input range, the system continues to register the maximum or minimum value, resulting in a loss of data accuracy. The DAS does not adjust its range or explode; it simply cannot record outside of its predefined boundaries.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the signal you are collecting with a Data Acquisition System (DAS) exceeds the input range, the correct answer would be: c.) the data will be "clipped" and lost. When a DAS input is provided with a signal that is outside of its designed range, it cannot correctly interpret that signal. Rather than adjusting its range, it typically records the maximum or minimum possible value continuously, which leads to the top or bottom parts of the signal being clipped. This means that some data is lost, and the original signal can't be reconstructed accurately from the recorded data.
To understand this concept, consider a radio as an analogy. When tuning a radio, only frequencies within a certain range can be properly received. Similarly, if you have a car radio with an extendable antenna, the quality of reception changes with the length of the antenna, which affects the range of signals it can capture. Extrapolate this idea to a DAS; if the input signal is too high or too low (like a sound frequency beyond the audible range), the system cannot correctly receive and record it.