The first step to getting output from a laser is to excite an active medium. What is this process called?

A. Pumping
B. Exciting
C. Priming
D. Raising
✅ The correct answer is option A.
A collection of atoms or molecules that can be excited to a higher energy state is called an active medium. Before lasing can occur, the active media is “pumped”. The process of raising the atoms in the active media from a lower energy state to a higher state is like pumping water up from a well.

A given signal’s second harmonic is twice the given signal’s __________ frequency?

A. Fourier
B. Foundation
C. Fundamental
D. Field
✅ The correct answer is option C.
A given signal’s second harmonic is twice the given signal’s fundamental frequency. Harmonics are generated when there are non-linearities in an amplifier (there are always non-linearities). The worse the non-linearities, the more harmonics. A signal at 27.5 MHz (approximate frequency for US citizen’s band) would have a second harmonic at 55.0 MHz (on US channel 2!). Can you see why there might be problems? A CB operator might do well to place a low-pass filter on his radio.