George Tafari

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Current-Divider Formula

As we have seen, the voltage ( V ) drops that occur across resistors ( R ) in parallel circuits are equal in magnitude to the voltage of the source. In addition to this, the currents ( I ) within parallel circuits split apart ( and later recombine ) at nodes. The magnitude of theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Current-Divider Formula“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Parallel Circuits

We have previously seen how all of the current ( I ) within a series circuit will pass through each resistor ( R ) situated within it. The sum of the energy drops that a coulomb ( C ) of charge loses as it traverses a circuit is equal to the voltage ( V )Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Parallel Circuits“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Power in Series Circuits

Thus far, we have seen how the net resistance ( R ) to current ( I ) flow within a series circuit is the sum of all the resistors that are present: Rt = R1 + R2 + R3 +…Rn The voltage ( V ) drop that occurs as a coulomb ( C ) ofContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Power in Series Circuits“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 5 )

We are now ready to complete the Part 3 exercise using Kirchhoff’s Node and Loop Rules: Due to the presence of nodes at points C and E, differing current ( I ) values will be used to evaluate the voltage ( V ) drops that occur around each loop. There are three unique circuit pathwaysContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 5 )“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 4 )

Prior to completion of the previous lecture’s circuit problem, some additional practice identifying nodes and branches within a multi-loop circuit will be helpful: We begin our journey at the 3 V source located at the far-left side of the diagram. As the current ( I ) moves upward and to the right, we encounter ourContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 4 )“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 3 )

Thus far, we have used a single-loop series circuit to demonstrate the principles of Kirchhoff’s Loop Rule. What if, however, a circuit has multiple loops through which current ( I ) travels? To further complicate things, what if each loop contains a voltage ( V ) source? How will it be possible to determine theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 3 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 2 )

The Loop Rule states that the sum of voltage ( V ) rises and drops around a closed loop must equal zero. This observation is an extension of the Law of Conservation of Energy which states that energy is neither created or destroyed, but it has the ability to change form. Furthermore, the direction thatContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 2 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 1 )

Conventional current ( I ) within an electrical circuit travels from a positively charged anode to a negatively charged cathode terminal: In reality, electric field lines are what emerge from the positive terminal and terminate on the negative one; thus, negatively charged electrons actually flow in the opposite direction. Envisioning current as mobile positive chargesContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Kirchhoff’s Laws ( Part 1 )”

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Voltage-Divider Formula

Thus far, we have seen how the sum of voltage drops across a series circuit is equal to the voltage value of the source ( Vs ): Vs = V1 + V2 + V3 In the aforementioned scenario, three resistors are situated within a non-diverging electrical path; thus, each resistor along the electrical path hasContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: The Voltage-Divider Formula“

INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Resistors in Series Circuits

The voltage ( V ) or “ potential difference “ of a DC power source is the drop in energy ( J ) that a coulomb ( C ) of charge will experience by traveling through a resistance ( R ) found within a circuit. The current in question flows along a closed, non-diverging route:Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Resistors in Series Circuits”