What is defined as any change in a sinusoidal signal when the output is not a linear reproduction of the input?

The term that refers to any change in a sinusoidal signal in which the output does not linearly reproduce the input is distortion. Distortion occurs when the waveform of the output deviates from the original waveform, leading to alterations in amplitude, frequency, or phase characteristics of the signal. This can happen due to non-linear components in the system, which change the relationship between input and output, thereby affecting the integrity of the signal.

Linearity describes a system's ability to produce an output that is directly proportional to its input. A linear system would reproduce the input signal accurately without introducing distortion. Phase shifting pertains to a change in the phase of a wave, which can occur without necessarily altering the amplitude or shape of the waveform; it is not a definition of distortion. Dynamic range refers to the difference between the smallest and largest signal levels a system can process without distortion, but it does not describe the nature of the changes to the signal itself.

Understanding distortion is crucial in many fields, such as electronics and audio engineering, as it affects signal fidelity and quality. Recognizing how this distortion manifests can help in identifying and troubleshooting issues in systems dealing with sinusoidal signals.