Engineering Vocab Quiz - Electrical/Computational Engineering Flashcards
Algorithm
A set of step-by-step instructions used to perform calculations, process data, and automatically answer questions.
Alternating Current
An electrical charge that changes directions periodically.
Anode
The negatively charged side of the battery.
Apps
Computer programs that work with operating systems to help computers perform specific functions or tasks.
Batteries
A source of energy in electrical circuits that converts chemical energy to electrical energy.
Binary Code
Language that consists of only 1s and 0s. The 1s and 0s are used to represent numbers, letters, and all other digital information, as well as computer commands.
Breadboards
Devices that serve as a construction base for prototyping or making experimental models of electrical circuits. They allow electrical components to be connected together in a circuit without being soldered.
Capacitors
Electrical components that store an electrical charge similar to a battery, but discharge energy more rapidly.
Cathode
The positively charged side of the battery.
Central Processing Unit (CPU)
The working part of the computer that carries out instructions.
Circuit Diagrams
Graphical representations of electrical circuits. Also called electronic schematics.
Circuit Theory
The collection of scientific knowledge used to describe the flow of electrical energy through an electrical circuit.
Combinational Logic
Digital logic that uses logic gates to make decisions based on present inputs.
Computation
Any type of calculation for processing information.
Computer Engineering
Engineering field that fi focuses on the development, improvement, and supervision of the production and maintenance of computer hardware and software.
Computer Science
The theoretical study and practical application of computation.
Current
The rate of electron flow through the circuit.
Digital Logic
Type of logic that enables complex decisions to be made within computer systems based on a series of yes or no questions. Also called Boolean logic
Diodes
Electrical components made out of semiconductor materials, such as silicon or selenium. They allow electrical current to pass through them in only one direction.
Direct Current
An electrical charge that flows in only one direction.
Electrical Circuits
Interconnected electrical components that generate and distribute electrical energy for the purpose of controlling, detecting, collecting, storing, receiving, or processing information.
Electrical Engineers
Engineers who design, test, and oversee the production of devices that use electricity to control, process, store, and receive information, as well as equipment for generating and transmitting power.
Electrical Switch
An electrical component that interrupts the flow of electrons from a power source in an electrical circuit.
Electrolyte
The component of a battery that prevents the negative and positive charges on each side of the battery from connecting with each other.
Electromagnetic Induction
The production of electromotive force or voltage by continuously moving a conductor, such as copper wire, through varying magnetic fields.
Hardwire
Physical equipment that includes a computer and the devices attached to it.
Integrated Circuits (ICs)
Electronic circuits formed on a small, thin piece of pure semiconducting material, usually silicon.
Kirchhoff’s Current Law
The sum of the currents across each branch or loop of a parallel circuit is equal to the total current in a circuit.
Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law
The sum of all voltage drops in a circuit is equal to the total applied voltage.
Light-Emitting Diode (LED)
A special diode that releases energy in the form of photons when a suit- able voltage is applied.
Memory
A computer’s storage area for data and operating instructions.
Ohm’s Law
A law that defines the relationship fines between voltage, current, and resistance in an electrical circuit. It is represented by the equation V = IR, where V is the voltage in a circuit, I is the current, and R is the resistance.
Operating Systems
The software that manages the computer’s processes, memory, and the operation of all other hardware and software.
Parallel Circuits
A circuit in which components are connected across common ends or nodes, providing multiple pathways for electrons to flow.
Photocells
Electrical components that produce electric current and voltage when exposed to light. They can also be used to control circuits based on the input of light. Also called photocells.
Power Source
The source of the electron flow in an electrical circuit, such as a battery or generator.
Programming Language
A formal language or set of rules to communicate operations for a computer system to perform.
Rectifier
An electrical device used to convert ac into dc by allowing a current to flow through it in one direction only.
Register
A computer component that allows the CPU to access different information or data within the computer’s memory by storing the location of the information.
Resistors
Electrical components that restrict the flow of electrons in a circuit and reduce the current and voltage by turning it into heat energy.
Sequential Logic
Digital logic in which outputs depend not only on the present input but also on the past inputs.
Series Circuit
An electrical circuit in which components are connected in a way that provides only a single pathway for electrons to flow.
Series-Parallel Circuits
Circuits that have components that are arranged in series and components that are arranged in parallel.
Signal
Any measurable quantity used to communicate information.
Software
A term used to describe instructions that direct a computer to perform specific tasks.
Software Engineering
An engineering field that focuses on using the engineering design process to efficiently produce effective software solutions.
Transistors
Semiconductor components that can amplify signals for components such as speakers or act as electronic switches.
Voltage
In an electrical circuit, the pressure of the electrons waiting to move toward the positive charge.
