Can I test a transducer by just hooking it up to a Function Generator?

Question

and aiming it at another one connected to an oscilloscope?
Do I have to worry about it being a receiver or transmitter? or can one do both functions?

I forgot to mention.. it's an ultrasonic transducer.

Answer 1

Most transducers will act as either receiver or transmitter, but the efficiency may not be the same depending on design. Piezo transducers will work both ways.

If you mean to test to see if it works, yes you can do that. If you want to test performance that will require special conditions (anechoic chamber, calibrated microphones, etc.)

Answer 2

gp4rts answered the main stuff.

my take is just some addition.
Check the Transmitting Transducer, if it is shorted, with a multimeter set at Resistance measurement.

Take note of the Resistance of the Transducer, if you want to max the output of the Transducer, you need to match the Function Generator output resistance with the Transducer impedance As it is a function check, and working at Ultrasonic frequency, a rough matching will be enough.