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 )”
Tag Archives: coulomb
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: 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: Direct Current ( DC ) Voltage, Current, and Resistance
An introductory discussion of electronics would be remiss without a conceptual analysis of DC voltage ( Vdc ), current ( I ), and resistance ( R ). Most students readily adapt to teaching strategies that relate new topics to familiar themes and everyday life experiences. Visual aids are of preeminent importance to new and seasonedContinue reading “INTRODUCTION TO ELECTRONICS: Direct Current ( DC ) Voltage, Current, and Resistance”
ELECTROSTATICS: Unit Vector Analysis of a Two-Charge System ( Part 1 )
Q: Two subatomic particles have a charge ( q1 = q2 = 10-6 C ), and they are located on the x-axis at coordinates ( -1m, 0m ) and ( 1m, 0m ). Please calculate the following: The electric field due to the charges when a positive test charge ( P ) has x/y-coordinates ofContinue reading “ELECTROSTATICS: Unit Vector Analysis of a Two-Charge System ( Part 1 )”
ELECTRICITY: Wattage
Q: A parallel electrical circuit connects the electrical outlets located within a room. A 20-A fuse is put into place to protect the circuit from unexpected surges of current ( I ). The voltage drop across each circuit element is V = 120 V. What is the maximum power ( W ) output that canContinue reading “ELECTRICITY: Wattage”
ELECTROSTATICS: A Charged Particle Suspended in Space
Q: A particle with a positive charge ( q1 = +45 nC ) maintains a fixed position beneath a second particle ( q2 ) with an unknown charge. The second particle ( q2 ) has a mass = 7.5 μg, and it is floating 25 cm above charge q1. The net force on q2 isContinue reading “ELECTROSTATICS: A Charged Particle Suspended in Space”
ELECTRICITY: Direct Current and Parallel Resistors
INTRODUCTION TO DIRECT CURRENT ( DC ) ELECTRONICS : Note: Assuming each resistor ( R ) = 64 Ohms, what is the equivalent resistance of the circuit from points A to B ? Symmetry regarding the flow of electrons is the key to calculating the total resistance ( R ) of this circuit. Let’s suppose theContinue reading “ELECTRICITY: Direct Current and Parallel Resistors”
ELECTRICITY: Kirchhoff’s Rules and Negative Current Values
Voltage, where V = IR, is the product of the current ( I ) of Amperes in an electrical circuit in units of coulombs per second ( q/s ), and resistance ( R ) in Ohms. Likewise, voltage is defined as the amount of energy in Joules ( J ) a coulomb of charge carriesContinue reading “ELECTRICITY: Kirchhoff’s Rules and Negative Current Values”