ele1002-lec.1a-components-of-electric-circuits

Electrical Circuit

A path in which electrons from a voltage or current source flow.

Resistor

A device that limits the flow of electrical current in a circuit.

Capacitor

An electrical device used to store electrical energy in an electric field.

Inductor

A passive electrical component that stores energy in a magnetic field when electric current flows through it.

Ohm's Law

The relationship between voltage, current, and resistance in a circuit, expressed as V = IR.

Electron Flow

The movement of electrons from the cathode to the anode.

Conventional Current Flow

The flow of positive charge, interpreted as flowing from the anode to the cathode.

Resistivity

A material's inherent ability to resist current flow, measured in ohm-meters.

Temperature Coefficient of Resistance

A measure of how much the resistance of a material changes with temperature.

Conductors

Materials that allow the easy flow of electric current, typically metals.

Semiconductors

Materials that have conductivity between that of conductors and insulators, variable with temperature and impurities.

Insulators

Materials that resist the flow of electric current.

Ammeter

An instrument used to measure electric current in a circuit.

Voltmeter

An instrument used to measure electric potential difference between two points in a circuit.

Ohmmeter

An instrument used to measure electrical resistance.

Fixed Resistor

A resistor with a designated resistance value that does not change.

Variable Resistor

A resistor whose resistance value can be adjusted.

Battery

A source of stored electrical energy consisting of multiple electrochemical cells.

Series Connection

A way of connecting components in a circuit where they share a single path for current flow.

Parallel Connection

A way of connecting components in a circuit where each component has its own path for current flow.

Active Components

Elements in a circuit that can inject power into the circuit, such as power sources.

Passive Components

Elements in a circuit that do not produce energy, like resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

Resistor Color Code

A system of colored bands on a resistor that indicate its resistance value.