Basic concepts of electric circuits

Conductance (G): It is the reciprocal of resistance: G 1/R.

Ohms law: It expresses the relationship between current I, voltage V and
resistance R.
I

V
R

or

E
R

Conductance form of Ohms law: I GV.

Reference direction of current: Assuming an arbitrarily chosen current
direction as the reference direction of current:

If I 4 0 actual current direction is consistent with the reference current

direction.

If I 5 0 actual current direction is opposite to the reference current

direction.
Reference polarity of voltage: Assuming an arbitrarily chosen voltage
polarity as the reference polarity of voltage:

If V 4 0 actual voltage polarity is consistent with the reference voltage

polarity.

If V 5 0 actual voltage polarity is opposite to the reference voltage

polarity.
Mutually related polarity of voltage and current: If the reference current
direction is assigned by an arrow pointing from to 7 voltage of the
component, then the reference current direction and reference voltage
polarity is consistent.
Symbols and units of electrical quantities:

Quantity

Quantity symbol

Unit

Unit symbol

Charge
EMF
Work (energy)
Resistance
Resistivity
Conductance
Current
Voltage

Q
E
W
R
r
G
I
V or E

Coulomb
Volt
Joule
Ohm
Ohm " metres
Siemens or mho
Ampere
Volt

C
V
J
O
O"m
S or
A
V

Experiment 1: Resistor colour code

Objectives

Become familiar with the breadboard

Interpret the colour code for resistors
Measure resistors with a multimeter (ohmmeter function)

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