Contents

Preface
1

Basic concepts of electric circuits

Objectives
1.1 Introduction
1.1.1 Why study electric circuits?
1.1.2 Careers in electrical, electronic and computer engineering
1.1.3 Milestones of electric circuit theory
1.2 Electric circuits and schematic diagrams
1.2.1 Basic electric circuits
1.2.2 Circuit schematics (diagrams) and symbols
1.3 Electric current
1.3.1 Current
1.3.2 Ammeter
1.3.3 The direction of electric current
1.4 Electric voltage
1.4.1 Voltage/electromotive force
1.4.2 Potential difference/voltage
1.4.3 Voltmeter
1.5 Resistance and Ohms law
1.5.1 Resistor
1.5.2 Factors affecting resistance
1.5.3 Ohmmeter
1.5.4 Conductance
1.5.5 Ohms law
1.5.6 Memory aid for Ohms law
1.5.7 The experimental circuit of Ohms law
1.5.8 IV characteristic of Ohms law
1.5.9 Conductance form of Ohms law
1.6 Reference direction of voltage and current
1.6.1 Reference direction of current
1.6.2 Reference polarity of voltage
1.6.3 Mutually related reference polarity of current/voltage
Summary
Experiment 1: Resistor colour code

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