Electronics Class Overview

Data entry and exit points for a microcomputer, where information is transferred to and from the computer.

The relative permeability of a paramagnetic substance is slightly greater than 1. This means that a paramagnetic material is weakly attracted to a magnetic field.

A window comparator circuit requires two operational amplifiers (op-amps) to perform comparisons.

Resistor noise, also known as Johnson-Nyquist noise, is classified as white noise. White noise has a constant power spectral density across all frequencies.

A battery's capacity is measured in Ampere-hours (Ah). A 100Ah battery can provide 1 Ampere of current for 100 hours or 100 Amperes for 1 hour. The battery's discharge rate depends on the load connected to it.

The highest decimal digit possible with a single decimal digit is 9, representing 9 units. Decimal digits use the base 10 system, meaning they use 10 possible digits from 0 to 9.

A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. This energy conversion happens due to the principle of electromagnetic induction.

Conductors are materials that have a large number of free electrons. These free electrons can easily move through the material, allowing for the flow of electricity.

A visual representation of the steps involved in an algorithm, often used in programming, showing the flow of control and data.

A special type of oscillator that does not need an external trigger to start oscillating. It oscillates continuously without any external input.

A material that has permeability slightly greater than that of free space, meaning it is weakly attracted to a magnetic field.

A type of filter with a specific frequency range that it allows to pass through, while blocking frequencies outside of that range.

The ability of a measurement system to produce the same results repeatedly under identical conditions. It's about consistency.

The emission of electrons from a heated surface, a key principle in vacuum tubes and thermionic devices.

Currents that flow in circular paths within a conductor, usually caused by changing magnetic fields. They can lead to energy losses.

The lagging effect between the magnetic flux density in a material and the magnetizing force applied. It's a characteristic of ferromagnetic materials.

The resistance of a wire increases if the cross-sectional area is reduced. Since the area is reduced to 1/3, the resistance is tripled. The original resistance was 36 feet * 12 ohms/foot = 432 ohms. Tripling this gives a new resistance of 1296 ohms.

Rust is a form of corrosion that increases resistance in electrical connections.

The yoke of a DC machine is the outer frame that provides a magnetic path for the field coils. Cast steel is a common material for its strength and magnetic properties.

Reluctance is a measure of how much a material opposes the flow of magnetic flux. It is like resistance for electricity but for magnetism.

A D flip-flop's next output state is determined only by the current input D, not the past output state. It is a one-bit memory that stores the value of the D input.

Beta is the ratio of change in collector current (Ic) to change in base current (Ib) in a bipolar transistor. It signifies how much the collector current amplifies the base current.

A linear-taper potentiometer is used for meter sensitivity because its output resistance changes linearly with the rotation of the shaft, allowing for smooth and precise adjustments of the meter's range.

The sharpness of a tuned circuit's resonance curve is determined by its Q factor (quality factor). A higher Q factor results in a narrower and sharper resonance curve.

A diode used in RF switches, attenuators, and phase shifting devices. It has a high resistance at low voltages and low resistance at high voltages.

A probe with low capacitance, used for measuring high frequency or high impedance circuits. Minimizes the impact of the probe on the circuit's behavior.

The emission of electrons from a heated surface.

A type of bonding where two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, creating strong bonds within the molecule.

The ability of a material to conduct electric current. It's the inverse of resistivity.

The measure of a material's opposition to the flow of electric current. The higher the resistivity, the more difficult it is for current to flow.

The ability of a substance to be magnetized. It's measured by its relative permeability, which is slightly greater than 1 for paramagnetic materials.

A circuit with a power factor of unity is a purely resistive circuit. This means there's no reactive component (like inductance or capacitance) and all the power is used for real work.

The change in conductivity of a semiconductor material due to exposure to light. Electrons absorb light energy, increasing their mobility and conductivity.

A circuit with two stable states, switching between them based on an input signal. It can store a single bit of information.

A circuit with a specific frequency band that it allows to pass through while blocking frequencies outside of that range.

The ability of a measurement system to produce consistent results repeatedly under identical conditions.

In a generator, the displacement between the phases or outputs of different windings, measured electrically.

The emission of electrons from a heated surface, a key principle in vacuum tubes and thermionic devices.

Circuits flowing in circular paths within a conductor, often induced by changing magnetic fields.

The lagging effect between the magnetic flux density in a material and the magnetizing force applied.

A device used to control a motor from a remote location.

A safety rule for soldering and desoldering is to make sure the power is disconnected.

LEDs are highly efficient and long-lasting, emitting bright light while consuming low power.

The armature winding in a DC machine is placed on the rotor to facilitate commutation.

Permanent magnets only exert force on magnetized materials, moving charges, and magnetic fields.

Solder is typically made of a lead-tin alloy, with the standard composition being 60% tin and 40% lead.

A hot-wire ammeter is used to measure high-frequency currents.

In a six-phase generator, the electrical displacement between different phases or windings is 60 electrical degrees.