In a sinusoidal signal, the peak-to-peak voltage is related to the peak voltage by which relation?

In a sinusoidal signal, the peak-to-peak voltage is related to the peak voltage by which relation?

• A. V_pp = 2 V_peak
• B. V_pp = V_peak
• C. V_pp = V_peak / 2
• D. V_pp = sqrt(2) V_peak

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that peak-to-peak voltage measures the full vertical span of a sinusoid—from its highest positive point to its lowest negative point. For a sine wave centered at zero, the highest value is +Vpeak and the lowest is −Vpeak. The total swing is Vpeak − (−Vpeak) = 2·Vpeak, so Vpp = 2·Vpeak. For example, if the peak is 5 V, the peak-to-peak voltage is 10 V. The other options would imply the span is the same as the positive peak, half of it, or scaled by a factor that isn’t correct for a symmetric sine wave.

The main idea is that peak-to-peak voltage measures the full vertical span of a sinusoid—from its highest positive point to its lowest negative point. For a sine wave centered at zero, the highest value is +Vpeak and the lowest is −Vpeak. The total swing is Vpeak − (−Vpeak) = 2·Vpeak, so Vpp = 2·Vpeak. For example, if the peak is 5 V, the peak-to-peak voltage is 10 V. The other options would imply the span is the same as the positive peak, half of it, or scaled by a factor that isn’t correct for a symmetric sine wave.