Atoms Flashcards
What is the process of obtaining unidirectional currents and voltages from alternating currents and voltages called?
Rectification
Rectification is crucial in converting AC to DC for various applications.
What component is used for automatic switching in circuits?
Diodes
Diodes allow current to flow in one direction, enabling automatic switching.
What type of rectification is achieved using a single diode?
Half-wave rectification
Half-wave rectification allows current to pass only during one half of the AC cycle.
What happens to the diode when P is negative with respect to Q in half-wave rectification?
Diode D is switched off
The diode conducts only when the voltage is positive, blocking current when negative.
What does a transformer do in a rectification circuit?
Isolates equipment from direct connection with the mains supply
Transformers also adjust voltage levels for safe operation.
What is the output of a half-wave rectifier like?
Not constant and unsuitable as a d.c. power supply
The output waveform fluctuates and needs smoothing for stable DC supply.
How many diodes are used in a full-wave bridge rectifier circuit?
Four diodes
A bridge rectifier allows both halves of the AC waveform to be utilized.
What does the term ‘bridge’ refer to in a bridge rectifier?
A network of four elements connected to form a square
This configuration allows efficient rectification of AC signals.
What is a capacitor?
An electrical device used to store electrical energy
Capacitors are fundamental components in many electrical circuits.
In what applications are capacitors commonly used?
- Smoothing rectified a.c. outputs
- Tuning in telecommunication equipment
- Time delay circuits
- Electrical filters
- Oscillator circuits
- MRI medical body scanners
Capacitors serve various essential functions in electronic devices.
How is the equivalent capacitance of capacitors connected in parallel calculated?
C = C1 + C2 + C3 + … + Cn
In parallel connections, capacitances simply add up.
How is the equivalent capacitance of capacitors connected in series calculated?
1/C = 1/C1 + 1/C2 + 1/C3 + … + 1/Cn
In series connections, the reciprocal of the total capacitance is the sum of the reciprocals of individual capacitances.
Fill in the blank: A capacitor is the most commonly encountered component in electrical circuits next to the _______.
Resistor
Resistors and capacitors are fundamental components in circuit design.
What is the unit of electric current?
Ampere
True or False: Voltage is the measure of electric potential difference.
True
What is the formula for Ohm’s Law?
V = I * R
Fill in the blank: A ___ is a device that resists the flow of electric current.
resistor
What is the primary function of a capacitor?
To store electrical energy
Which component is used to convert AC to DC?
Rectifier
What does LED stand for?
Light Emitting Diode
True or False: A series circuit has only one path for current to flow.
True
What is the unit of resistance?
Ohm
In a parallel circuit, how does the total resistance compare to the smallest resistance?
The total resistance is less than the smallest resistance.
What is the primary function of an inductor?
To store energy in a magnetic field
Fill in the blank: The ___ is the flow of electric charge.
current
What is the purpose of a fuse in an electrical circuit?
To protect against overcurrent
What does AC stand for in electrical terms?
Alternating Current
What is the effect of increasing resistance in a circuit with constant voltage?
The current decreases.
True or False: A transformer is used to increase or decrease voltage levels.
True
What is the function of a diode?
To allow current to flow in one direction only
Fill in the blank: The ___ is a measure of how much work is done by electric current.
watt
What is the difference between a series and parallel circuit?
A series circuit has one path for current; a parallel circuit has multiple paths.
What does the term ‘ground’ refer to in an electrical circuit?
A reference point for voltage; often a safety measure.
What is Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law?
The sum of the electrical potential differences around any closed network is zero.
True or False: Capacitors can block direct current (DC).
True
What is the primary purpose of a battery?
To store and provide electrical energy.
Fill in the blank: The ___ of a circuit is the total amount of current flowing through it.
current
What is a multimeter used for?
To measure voltage, current, and resistance.
What does the term ‘impedance’ refer to?
The total opposition to current flow in an AC circuit.
True or False: An electromagnet uses electricity to generate a magnetic field.
True
What is the purpose of a relay?
To control a high power circuit with a low power signal.
What is the formula to calculate power in an electrical circuit?
P = V * I
Fill in the blank: A ___ is a semiconductor device that can amplify or switch electronic signals.
transistor
What type of current is used in household outlets?
Alternating Current (AC)
What does the term ‘short circuit’ mean?
An unintended path of low resistance that allows excess current to flow.
True or False: The color code on resistors indicates their resistance value.
True
What is the primary function of a potentiometer?
To vary resistance in a circuit.
What is a PCB?
Printed Circuit Board
Fill in the blank: The ___ of a capacitor is the maximum voltage it can handle.
voltage rating
What is the purpose of a snubber circuit?
To protect against voltage spikes.
What does the term ‘frequency’ refer to in electronics?
The number of cycles per second of an AC signal.
True or False: The higher the frequency, the shorter the wavelength.
True
What is the purpose of a heat sink?
To dissipate heat from electronic components.
What are the three primary components of a basic circuit?
Voltage source, load, and conductors.
Fill in the blank: A ___ converts electrical energy into mechanical energy.
motor
What does the term ‘signal’ refer to in electronics?
An electric current that conveys information.
What is the primary function of a fuse?
To protect electrical circuits from excessive current.
True or False: Power is measured in volts.
False
What is the role of a switch in a circuit?
To open or close the circuit.
What is the difference between a digital and an analog signal?
Digital signals have discrete values; analog signals have continuous values.
Fill in the blank: A ___ is a device that generates alternating current.
generator
What does the term ‘voltage drop’ mean?
The reduction in voltage across a component in a circuit.
True or False: A capacitor can release stored energy quickly.
True
What is the role of a transformer in an electrical circuit?
To change the voltage level.
What is the primary function of an oscilloscope?
To visualize electrical signals.
Fill in the blank: The ___ is the ratio of voltage across a resistor to the total voltage in a circuit.
voltage divider
What does the term ‘grounding’ refer to?
Connecting an electrical circuit to the earth for safety.
What is the main purpose of a diode bridge?
To convert AC to DC.
True or False: Voltage can exist without current.
True
What is the function of a logic gate?
To perform a logical operation on one or more binary inputs.
Fill in the blank: A ___ is a passive electronic component that stores energy in an electric field.
capacitor
What is the effect of temperature on resistance?
Resistance typically increases with temperature.
What type of component is a thermistor?
A temperature-sensitive resistor.
True or False: A relay can be used to control high voltage devices with low voltage signals.
True
What does ‘SMD’ stand for in electronics?
Surface Mount Device
Fill in the blank: The ___ is the maximum current a fuse can handle before blowing.
current rating
What is the primary purpose of using a breadboard?
To prototype electronic circuits without soldering.
What does the term ‘load’ refer to in an electrical circuit?
The component that consumes power.
True or False: Inductors resist changes in current.
True
What is the purpose of a voltage regulator?
To maintain a constant voltage level.
Fill in the blank: A ___ is a device used to measure the flow of current.
current meter
What is the difference between a fuse and a circuit breaker?
A fuse is a one-time protection device; a circuit breaker can be reset.
What does the term ‘hertz’ measure?
Frequency in cycles per second.
True or False: A potentiometer can be used to adjust volume in audio devices.
True
What is the function of a voltage divider?
To reduce voltage to a desired level.
Fill in the blank: The ___ indicates the direction of current flow in a circuit.
convention
What is the purpose of using a capacitor in a power supply?
To smooth out voltage fluctuations.
What does the term ‘load resistance’ refer to?
The resistance of the component that uses electrical power.
True or False: A transformer can only step up voltage.
False
What is the role of a filter in an electronic circuit?
To remove unwanted frequencies from a signal.
Fill in the blank: The ___ is a common semiconductor material used in diodes.
silicon
What is the function of a clock in digital circuits?
To provide timing signals for synchronization.
What does the term ‘decibel’ refer to in electronics?
A logarithmic unit used to measure sound intensity or signal strength.
True or False: All electronic components have a specific polarity.
False
What is the purpose of a bypass capacitor?
To filter out high-frequency noise in power supply circuits.
