|To understand basic electronics, you will
need to understand the following
- circuit - a simple loop through which electricity
- power source - the source of electricity
in the circuit. This can be a battery, a
generator, a transformer, or a connection
to a power supply or outlet. The unit of
measure of power is the "volt."
- resistor - a device that resists the flow of electricity. The unit of measure
of resistance is called the "ohm."
- capacitor - a device that can store electricity.
When a current is applied to it, a capacity
will absorb electricity up to its capacity
(measured in "farads"); when the
current is removed, the capacity will discharge
back into the circuit.
- diode - a device that, within its range,
allows electricity to flow only one way.
- transistor - a device that can control the
flow of electricity by varying the electricity
applied to its "base" wire.
- current - the amount of electricity flowing
past a particular point in a circuit. The
measure of current is the "ampere"
The terms "AC" and "DC"
refer to "alternating current"
and "direct current." That is,
in AC, the current alternates directions,
while the direction is fixed in DC.