ECE 2

What is current?

Current is the flow of charge past a point per second, measured in Amperes.

What is the relation between Amperes and milliamperes?

1 Ampere = 1000 milliamperes.

What does voltage represent in an electrical context?

Voltage is the difference in potential energy between two points, representing the work done to move one coulomb of charge against an electric field.

What is Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL)?

KCL states that the total current entering a junction must equal the total current leaving the junction.

What is Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL)?

KVL states that the sum of the electrical potential differences (voltages) around any closed circuit is zero.

What is a node in an electrical circuit?

A node is a point in a circuit where two or more components are connected.

How is voltage across components calculated according to component rules?

Voltage across components can be calculated using Kirchhoff's laws and component rules.

What does a capacitor do?

A capacitor is an energy storage element that stores energy in the form of an electric field.

What is the time constant of a capacitor?

The time constant is the time it takes for the voltage across a capacitor to charge to about 63.2% of the maximum voltage.

Define a Bipolar Junction Transistor (BJT).

A BJT is a type of transistor that uses both electrons and holes as charge carriers.

What is the primary difference between NPN and PNP transistors?

NPN transistors use a negative type semiconductor for the collector and emitter, while PNP transistors use a positive type.

What is the effect of increasing the base current in a transistor?

Increasing the base current will increase the collector current in a BJT.

Define the term 'diode'.

A diode is a semiconductor device that allows current to flow in one direction only.

What is the relationship between current and voltage in Ohm's law?

Ohm's law states that the current through a conductor between two points is directly proportional to the voltage across the two points.

What is the main function of a resistor in a circuit?

A resistor limits the flow of electric current in a circuit.

What happens when a capacitor is charged?

When a capacitor is charged, it accumulates electrical energy in the form of an electric field.

What is the primary unit of capacitance?

The primary unit of capacitance is the Farad.

What effect does temperature have on a capacitor?

Temperature changes can affect the capacitance and the leakage current of a capacitor.

What does it mean for a circuit to be in steady state?

In steady state, all circuit parameters remain constant over time.

What does it mean when we say a capacitor 'discharges'?

Discharging a capacitor means allowing it to release its stored energy back into the circuit.

How does the charge of a capacitor change during discharge?

The charge on a capacitor decreases exponentially during the discharge process.

Define 'transistor saturation'.

Transistor saturation occurs when the transistor is fully on, allowing maximum current to flow from the collector to the emitter.