What does the Z axis on an oscilloscope represent?

The Z axis on an oscilloscope represents intensity. This axis is used to indicate the brightness or intensity of the displayed waveform on the screen. It allows for adjustment of how bright or dim the waveform appears, which can be especially useful in differentiating overlapping waveforms or enhancing the visibility of specific signals.

When using an oscilloscope, it's important to have clear visual representation of waveforms, especially when multiple signals are displayed at once. The Z axis control aids in this by modulating the display's brightness according to the signal's characteristics, thereby aiding in the analysis and interpretation of waveform data. This feature is distinct from the other axes, which represent different dimensions of the signal, such as time and voltage.