Some applications of Fourier's great discovery for beginners

Nearly two centuries ago, Fourier discovered that any periodic function of period T can be presented as a sum of sine waveforms of frequencies equal to an integer times the fundamental frequency ω = 2π/T (Fourier's series). It is impossible to overestimate the importance of Fourier's discovery, and all physics or engineering students should be familiar with this subject. A suitable device for demonstrating spectra of electrical signals is a digital storage oscilloscope. Spectra of various waveforms and of AM and FM signals are demonstrated, as well as AM signals from a broadcasting station. Changes in the signals filtered by frequency-selective circuits are seen by comparing the spectra of the input and output voltages. All the experiments are suitable for undergraduate laboratories and usable as classroom demonstrations.