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 )”
Author Archives: George Walker
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”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Series Circuits
A series circuit is one in which electric current ( I ) travels along a closed path that does not split apart: *** Note: Conventional current consists of positive charges that flow from the positively charged anode to the negatively charged cathode. In reality, negatively charged electrons flow in the opposite direction. *** The diagram,Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Series Circuits”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 2 )
A previous mathematical derivation was used to determine that an electron volt ( eV ) is a quantity of energy carried by an electron that accelerates through an electric field. We will now see that the kilowatt-hour ( kWh ) is also a unit of energy; it is a quantum of energy carried by aContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 2 )“
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 1 )
Although related, voltage ( V ) and power ( P ) are fundamentally different entities. The voltage within an electrical system is a measure of how many joules ( J ) of energy each coulomb ( C ) of charge ( q ) carries with it. Power is a measure of the rate at whichContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Electron Volts vs. Kilowatt Hours ( Part 1 )”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 2 )
Newton’s First Law of Motion states that a body that sits still or moves with a constant velocity with respect to a motionless observer will have its status unaltered until acted upon by an unbalanced force. Such a change in motion is accompanied by an acceleration, which is a change of velocity of an object:Continue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 2 )”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 1 )
Although, energy and power are interrelated concepts, they possess distinct identities of their own. Consider the relatively simple task of inflating a balloon. Blowing a small puff of air into a balloon over a short time-interval will cause the balloon to expand slightly before recoiling to its previous state. Breathing more forcefully into a balloonContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Energy and Power ( Part 1 )”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Ohm’s Law
The graph of a straight line represents a proportional relationship between input variables and output values; with every increase ( or decrease ) in input values, a proportionate change in output can be expected. The graph of a straight line can be graphed via usage of the following formula: y = mx + b ForContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Ohm’s Law”
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 2 )
The number 1 can be formed via the establishment of a ratio of logically related quantities: A = A ( A / A ) = 1 A = B ( A / B ) = 1 And, ( B / A ) = 1 Furthermore, the product of any number multiplied by 1 is theContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Metric Prefix Conversions ( Part 2 )”
