Aliasing occurs when a continuous signal is digitized at a sampling rate lower than the Nyquist rate, resulting in distortion and jagged representations of smooth lines in signals like sound waves or images. The Nyquist theorem states that to accurately reconstruct a signal, it must be sampled at least twice the frequency of its highest component. When sampling below this rate, aliasing effects arise, leading to inaccuracies in the signal representation. To mitigate aliasing, a low pass filter can be applied before sampling, allowing for a more accurate capture of the signal by filtering out higher frequencies. Understanding these concepts is essential for effective signal processing and digital representation.
