18WuD2x

oscillatory current • out of phase 503
from the oscillation of energy back and forth between
the inductor and capacitor.
oscillatory discharge An electrical discharge,
such as that of a capacitor, that sets up an OS-
CILLATORY CURRENT.
oscillatory surge A current or voltage surge that
includes both positive and negative excursions.
oscillatory transient See OSCILLATORY SURGE.
oscillistor A device consisting essentially of a bar
of semiconductor material positioned in a magnetic
field; it will produce oscillations under certain
conditions.
oscillogram 1. The image produced on the screen
of an oscilloscope. 2. A permanent, usually photographic,
record made from the screen of an oscilloscope.
oscillograph 1. An instrument that makes a permanent
record (photograph or pen recording) of a
rapidly varying electrical quantity. Also called
recorder (see RECORDER, 2). Compare OSCILLO-
SCOPE. 2. An obsolete term for OSCILLOSCOPE.
oscillograph recorder A direct-writing recorder
(see RECORDER, 2).
oscillography The use of a graphic oscillation
recorder (OSCILLOGRAPH).
oscillometer A device used for determining the
peak amplitude of an oscillation.
oscilloscope An instrument that presents for
visual inspection the pattern representing
variations in an electrical quantity. Also see
CATHODE-RAY OSCILLOSCOPE. Compare OS-
CILLOGRAPH.
oscilloscope camera A special high-speed, shortfocus
camera with fixtures for attachment to an
oscilloscope to record images from the screen.
Standard and instant-film types are available.
oscilloscope differential amplifier An amplifier
that processes the difference between two signals,
for the purpose of displaying on an oscilloscope
or oscillograph.
oscilloscope tube A cathode-ray tube for use in an
oscilloscope. It contains an electron gun, accelerating
electrode, horizontal and vertical deflecting
plates, and a fluorescent screen.
Os-Ir Symbol for OSMIRIDIUM.
OSI-RM Abbreviation of OPEN SYSTEMS INTER-
CONNECTION REFERENCE MODEL.
OSL Abbreviation of orbiting space laboratory.
osmiridium Symbol, Os-Ir. A natural alloy of osmium
and iridium.
osmium Symbol, Os. A metallic element of the
platinum group. Atomic number, 76. Atomic
weight, 190.2.
osmotic pressure The force that causes the positive
ions to pass out of a solution toward a metal
body immersed in an electrolyte. Also see
HELMHOLTZ DOUBLE LAYER.
OSO Abbreviation of orbiting solar observatory.
osteophone A bone-conduction hearing aid.
OTA Abbreviation of OPERATIONAL TRANSCON-
DUCTANCE AMPLIFIER.
OTL Abbreviation of OUTPUT-TRANSFORMER-
LESS.
O-type backward-wave oscillator Abbreviation,
OBWO. A backward-wave oscillator using harmonics
having opposing phases.
ounce Abbreviation, oz. A unit of weight equal to 1 ⁄16
pound or 28.35 grams.
ounce-inch Abbreviation, oz-in. A unit of torque
equal to the product of a force of 1 ounce and a
moment arm of 1 inch. Compare POUND-FOOT.
outage 1. Loss of power to a system. 2. Loss of a
received signal.
outboard components 1. Discrete components
(capacitors, coils, resistors, or transformers) connected
externally to an integrated circuit. 2. Discrete
components connected externally to any
existing electronic device.
outcome In statistical analysis, the result of an experiment
or test. An outcome can be numerical or
nonnumerical.
outdoor antenna An antenna erected outside,
usually high above the surface of the earth clear
of obstacles. It generally provides superior performance
compared with an INDOOR ANTENNA.
Also reduces the probability of radio-frequency
interference (RFI) when used for transmitting.
outdoor booster A signal preamplifier mounted on
an outdoor television receiving antenna for improved
reception.
outdoor transformer A weatherproof distribution
transformer installed outside the building it services.
outer conductor The outer metal cylinder or
jacket of a coaxial cable or coaxial tank. Compare
INNER CONDUCTOR.
outgassing 1. In the evacuation of electronic devices,
such as vacuum tubes, the removal of occluded
gases from glass, ceramic, and metal by
means of slow baking and by flashing an internal
metal getter (such as one of magnesium). 2. The
production of gases in certain electrochemical
cells and batteries during the final stage of charging.
outgoing line A power or signal line that leaves a
device, facility, or stage. Compare INCOMING
LINE.
outlet A female receptacle that delivers a signal or
operating power to equipment plugged into it.
outline flowchart In computer operations, a preliminary
flowchart showing how a program will be
divided into routines and segments, input and
output functions, program entry points, etc.
out-of-line coding Instructions for a computer
program routine stored in an area of memory
other than that in which the routine’s program is
stored.
out of phase Pertaining to the condition in which
the alternations or pulsations of two or more separate
waves or wave phenomena, having identical
frequencies, are out of step with each other. Compare
IN PHASE.