Chapter 1: Basic concepts (Definitions) Flashcards
Electrical Circuit
An electrical circuit is an interconnection of electrical elements
Electric charge
— A charge is an electrical property of the atoms of which the matter consists.
— It’s the most basic quantity in an electrical circuit.
— Measured by coulomb (C).
Coulomb
It is a large unit of charges
In 1 coulomb, there is 6.24 × 10(18) electrons
Current
— It is the time rate of change in charges
— Measured in ampere (A)
Voltage
—It is the energy required to move a unit of charge through an element.
— Measured in volts (V)
— It’s also called potential difference
Power
— It is the time rating of expending or absorbing energy.
— Measured in watts (W)
Energy
— It is the capacity to do work
— Measured in joules (J)
Element
An element is the basic building block of
a circuit.
Joule
It’s the force of one newton, moving an object a distance of one meter. In electronics, it’s the same amount of energy.
Watt
The rate of consumption of energy in an electric circuit where the potential difference is one volt and the current one ampere.
Ideal Independent source
An ideal independent source is an active element that provides a specified voltage or current that is completely independent of other circuit variables.
Ideal Dependent source
An ideal dependent (or controlled) source is an active element in which the source quantity is controlled by another voltage or current.
Passive sign Convention
A convention that is satisfied when the current enters through
the positive terminal of an element
Active sign convention
A convention that is satisfied when the current enters through
the negative terminal of an element
Ideal current source
A current source that delivers to the circuit
whatever current is necessary to maintain its terminal voltage.
