ENGR 40M - Lecture 1: Welcome and Electricity Basics

Current

The amount of electric charge passing a given point per unit time, measured in $\text{Coulombs}/\text{second} = \text{Amps}$.

Voltage

The difference in electrical potential between two points, representing the work required to move charge and measured in $\text{Joules}/\text{Coulomb} = \text{Volts}$.

Electric Field

A field produced by electric charges or charge gradients that exerts a force on other charges and drives electrical current through a conductor.

Charge Gradient

An uneven distribution of electric charge along a conductor that creates an internal electric field to push current through the wire.

Node

A connected region or junction of conductors in an electrical circuit schematic.

Schematic

An abstract visual representation used for illustrating and describing electrical circuit elements and connections.

Congruent Schematics

Circuit diagrams that appear visually distinct