Learning basics : {NOSTALGIA HITS}

In our  beginning sessions , we were introduced the basics of current , resistance and circuitry and all so that we could relate the information in the real world and it does not seem like a theoretical sessions to just mug up the facts.

In my higher secondary education, 3 years back I had Physics as one of my core subjects and I loved it.

All the basics were just turning the pages of  my school lectures for me. So it was a bit nostalgic when same information was again being delivered to me. It helped me there.

I made some notes on the learning session and merged my own thoughts as I knew the concepts already so that anyone reading them would understand them better.

Current – Flow of electrons is called as current. It can have 2 directions depending on the direction of flow of electrons. Unit of measurement of current is Ampere(A)

Types of current

Direct Current (DC)– Current which has only one direction and does not change its direction is called direct current. Any battery which produces current by chemical reaction supplies direct current. Used in Electronics. Electronics include – Phone ,laptops , lights etc.

 Alternate current (AC)– Current which changes its direction is called alternate current.

The current we receive from electrical outlets at home and college is AC .Used in electrical appliances. These include – Air conditioner, Refrigerator, fans etc.

Where as AC current changes
current value with time

DC current Does not change
current value with time.

Resistance – Resistance is  obstacle to lower the flow of electrons aka current. Unit-Ohm(Ώ)

It acts like friction in circuit world, it can never be zero practically, it results in loss of energy and is important for circuit to not get damaged.

Resistor – A resistor is a device which creates a resistance in circuit. Zero resistance is possible in ideal conditions, even a small silver wire (best metal conductor) has some resistance.

We add resistance in circuits to regulate amount of current and to divide it according to will.

Types of Resistors

Fixed types of resistors – When resistor has a fixed value of resistance. All wires and carbon resistors are fixed value resistors.

Variable type resistors – When a resistor can have changing values of resistance, these are used to change resistance while the circuit is still in use and needs change in resistance while in use. Potentiometer is an example( potentiometer and trim).A common practical use is in audio devices where we change volume.

Resistors are connected in 2 ways –

Series – When connected in series resistance values adds directly. In circuit, resistance and voltage value changes while current value remains same in whole circuit.

This type is used to control total flow of current in circuit.

Parallel – In this type of combination the value of total resistance in circuit decreases and is found to be less then the least resistance used in it.

In this type of connection values of resistance and current changes while value for voltage remains same for all.

It is used when distributed voltage and current is required.

Voltage – Voltage is potential difference between to ends of a wire which results in the flow of free electrons in material, here wire, which results in current. Unit- Volts(V)

Voltage supply in electrical outlet at homes in India is –

Voltage supply in electrical outlet at homes in America is -

Supply in Indian railway trains is 110Volts, and is a fixed value which gives DC current.

Capacitor – Capacitor is a charge storing device, it is used where  big amount of charge release in a very short span of time is required, aka a burst of current at a high level.

For example in flash in camera.(image of notes on Q=cv and a capacitor)

Capacitance of a capacitor is measured in, Unit – Farad(F).

Generally farads are µF(micro Farads).      

Switch – It is a component of circuit, which can make a circuit open or closed .

Switches are used in every circuit as on or off button, when it opens the circuit or breaks the circuit, the functioning stops either it can close or join the circuit to make it function.

Battery – It is a power source which creates potential difference of the value equal to voltage it has and supplies current to circuit.(Diagram of battery and a photo with some types of it)

All batteries give DC current.

Diode – It is a component used in circuit to allow flow of current only one direction.

LED, Light Emitting Diode- It works when flow is in forward bias, means positive terminal of battery in circuit is connected to positive end of diode.

There were some useful Terms which have full forms and we should know it as general knowledge -

BIOS -Basic Input Output System

NFC – Near Field Communication

RFID – Radio Frequency Identification

USB – Universal Serial Bus

LDR – Light dependant Resistor

IR – Infra Red radiation

IC – Integrated Circuit

VCC – Voltage common collector(5Volt)

GND – Ground

IN – Input

INT – Integers

Tx – Transmission           Rx- Receiving 

Next thing we did was Learning about the sensors and different components and connecting them together , which i will be discussed in next blog entry.

Comment below if u have any query till now or any views 

:) thank you.