Electrical Circuit Components

resistors

electrical resistance Resistance opposes the flow of current through a material It is a property of a material and can be described as that material’s “resistivity” Resistance = Voltage / Current [ R = V / I ] Resistance is measured in Ohms Conductance (or conductivity) is the opposite of resistance (or resistivity)

the resistor Resistance is the ratio of voltage to current (R = V / I) Therefore, changing the resistance by adding resistors allows you to manipulate the voltage and current in a circuit

capacitors

capacitance Capacitance is the ability of something to store an electrical charge Charge is a property of matter that causes it to experience a force (attraction or repulsion) when near other electrically charged matter. There are two types of electric charges—positive and negative. Capacitance = Charge / Voltage [ C = q / V ]

the capacitor Capacitors are used in electrical circuits to store energy for later release

inductors

inductance Inductance is the process by which a change in current creates voltage It is a property of a conductor whereby a voltage is “induced” in the conductor itself and any nearby conductors Inductance = Voltage / Rate of Current Change

the inductor An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field Like capacitors, inductors store energy for later release

diodes

The diode A diode is an electrical component with high resistance to current flow in one direction and low resistance to current flow in the other In an electrical circuit, diodes are used to allow the current to flow in one direction only

comparison and recap A resistor opposes the flow of current A capacitor stores energy in an electric field An inductor stores energy in a magnetic field A diode allows current to flow in one direction while blocking current in the opposite direction