Final answer:
Engineers use an oscilloscope to study sound waves, visualizing them through electrical signals converted from audio inputs via a microphone. The oscilloscope works in conjunction with a function generator and has applications in fields such as medical diagnostics.
Step-by-step explanation:
To study sound waves, engineers use a device called an oscilloscope. When connected to a microphone, the oscilloscope can display the characteristics of different sounds, such as frequency and amplitude. A function generator can produce sounds of varying frequencies and amplitudes, and when these sounds are picked up by the microphone, their electrical equivalent is visualized on the oscilloscope's screen.
For instance, in medical applications, ultrasound waves, which are sound waves with frequencies much higher than humans can hear, are generated and the resulting oscillations can be used for noninvasive diagnoses like fetal monitoring through techniques like sonography. Moreover, by observing phenomena such as interference, we can further confirm that sound waves are indeed waves, specifically mechanical waves.