What characterizes an analog signal?

An analog signal is characterized by continuous variations in its physical properties, allowing it to represent information in a way that mirrors real-world variations. This means that the signal can change fluidly in both frequency and amplitude, capturing the nuances of the information it conveys.

Option C accurately describes these continuous variations, emphasizing how analog signals encode information through changes in frequency. This is essential in many applications such as audio transmission, where the analog signal reflects the continuous wave patterns of sound waves, capturing their richness and dynamics without the quantization seen in digital systems.

In contrast, the other options imply characteristics more aligned with digital signals, such as discrete steps or fixed attributes, which do not apply to analog signals.