2.02 - Electricity Basics
Electrical Basics
Create a document in your ePortflio called 1.02 - Electricity Basics and for each of the following sections please answer the questions in each section.
Questions:
Go and complete the Ohm's Law Assignment (please copy questions and answers into your ePortfolio)
AC and DC Voltage
Explain the difference between:
voltage
current
power
Explain the difference between AC and DC voltage.
When do we use AC voltage? When do we use DC?
Schematics & Series vs Parallel Circuits
Learn.Sparkfun - Parallel and Series Circuits
Do schematics usually mirror the physical layout of a circuit?
What analogy could you use to illustrate a series circuit versus a parallel circuit?
If I put three AA (1.5V) batteries in a series circuit, how much voltage should I see in that circuit?
If I put two 10kΩ resistors in parallel in a circuit what will the equivalent resistance be?
LEDs and Diodes
How do LEDs differ from florescent or incandescent light sources?
What should happen to an LED that is wired backwards in its circuit?
Why do you need to have a resistor in series with an LED?
What is the schematic symbol for a diode? How is it different in an LED?
Capacitors
What are three kinds of capacitor?
What were the primary components of an early capacitor (Leyden Jar style)?
What is the unit of measurement for capacitance? Who is it named after?
When a charged capacitor is hooked up to an led, what happens?
Diodes and AC-DC Conversion
Bonus: Full Bridge Rectifiers
Explain the concept of a full bridge rectifier with the following:
A schematic
Explanation of how a diode works
The terms Alternating Current and Direct Current