Chapter 1 Flashcards
Electronic Components and Fundamental Circuits Principles
What are resistors?
Electronic components that resist or control the flow of electric currents in electrical appliances and devices.
Types of Resistors
- Fixed
- Variable
What is a potentiometer?
A type of small variable resistor which can have its resistance value changed with a screwdriver
What are resistors used for?
To prevent damage to devices/systems or to ensure they operate within safe limits.
What are resistors normally composed of?
Metal and Carbon
What happens to heat when a current flows through a resistor?
It dissipates
What are capacitors?
Electronic components that store and release electrical energy in a electric field, which preserves voltage
What are capacitors used for?
They are used in power supplies to provide a temporary backup of electrical energy and in many devices to stabilise voltage levels.
What are inductors?
Electronic components that temporarily store energy in a magnetic field.
What does a inductor consist of?
A conducting material such as copper wrapped around a core made from a magnetic material.
What is the purpose of inductors?
Inductors store energy in a magnetic field when current flows through their coils. They resist changes in the flow of electric current.
Capacitors vs Inductor
Inductors store energy in a magnetic field
Capacitors store energy in a electrical field
Inductors conserve current
Capacitors conserve voltage
What is a diode?
Devices that allow electrical current to flow in one direction while blocking it in the other direction.
Where are diodes used?
- Power supplies
- DC-to-DC converters
- Power inverters
- Switches in digital logic circuits
What are LEDs?
Tiny electric bulbs that use small amounts of
electricity, they emit light when electrical current passes through them.
What does LEDs stand for?
Light Emitting Diodes
What are Op-amps?
Electronic devices that amplify the difference in voltage between the two inputs (inverting and non-inverting). They make small changes in voltage much larger.
What does Op-amps mean?
Operational Amplifier