Components & Units Flashcards
What is a resistor? Units?
Resistor = component with function to oppose the flow of electrical current
Units - Ω
*Resistors will dissipate heat, because current loses some of its energy while flowing through
What is a capacitor?
Capacitor = component with function to store electrical energy in an electric field created by a voltage between two conducting surfaces (electrodes) separated by an insulator (dielectric)
Units of a capacitor?
Capacitance
Measured in farads (F)
What is an inductor?
Inductor = component with function to store energy in a magnetic field created by current flowing in a wire
Units of an inductor?
Inductance
Units - Henrys (H)
What is a transformer?
Transformer = made from 2+ inductors that share energy, allows energy to be transferred from one inductor to another while changing the combination of voltage and current
In a resistor, are voltage and current in or out of phase?
In-phase; voltage and current will increase/decrease in step with one another
In a capacitor, are voltage and current in or out of phase?
Phase difference; offset in time between changes in one and changes in another as energy is stored then released
In an inductor, are voltage and current in or out of phase?
Phase difference; offset in time between changes in one and changes in another as energy is stored then released
What is inductive reactance?
(AC circuit) - in inductor, because resisting change in current will cause the changes in current to lag behind the changes in voltage
What is capacitive reactance?
(AC circuit) - in capacitor, because smoothing changes in voltage, change in current will lead change in voltage
What is reactance?
Reactance = opposition to AC current flow
