Understanding Electricity

What is ELECTRICITY?

Understanding Electricity

What is ELECTRICITY?

The flow of tiny particles, called electrons, through a conductor

Insulators

Conductors

vs

materials that allow electricity to flow easily

ex. copper, aluminum

materials that block the flow of electricity

ex. plastic, rubber

Building Blocks of Electronics

Path

Source

Load

Source

Path

Load

Building Blocks of Electronics

Path

Source

Load

Source

Path

Load

The "starting point" or "power station" in a circuit.

They are the place where energy is introduced in the circuit.

Power sources can be storage units like batteries or even plugs like wall outlets or USB outlets.

Building Blocks of Electronics

Path

Source

Load

Source

Path

Load

The "highway" or "route" electricity travels on.

The channel energy flows.

The path is made using conductive materials like copper wires to connect various components together.

Building Blocks of Electronics

Path

Source

Load

Source

Path

Load

The "receiver" of electricity or "gadget" in a circuit.

The thing that needs electricity to function like light bulbs, motors, and other output tools.

Building Blocks of Electronics

Path

Source

Load

Load

Examples of Output Devices:

• LEDs (Light Emitting Diodes): They emit light when current passes through them and are commonly used as indicators in electronic devices.
• Electric Motors: loads that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy, making things move. ex. Servo Motors, Stepper Motors, etc.
• Speakers: loads that convert electrical signals into sound waves, allowing us to hear music, movie dialogues, and other audio
• Heating Elements: loads that convert electrical energy to heat

Building Blocks of Electronics...

Devices or gadgets that return instructions and information to a computer or processor (aka the brain of the circuit).

• Buttons
• Switches
• Joysticks
• Knobs
• Touchscreens
• Microphones
• Sensors
• Cameras

Input Devices

Current

Voltage

vs

the pressure or force that pushes electrons through a circuit

measured in

volts (V)

the amount of electron flow in a circuit

measured in

amperes or amps (A)

Building Blocks of Electronics

• Resistors: They limit the flow of electricity and help control the current in a circuit.

Building Blocks of Electronics

• Capacitors: They store and release electrical energy.

Examples of Electronics?

Ground

Ground : provides a conductive path for excess electricity to escape the circuit

or

on Arduinos ground closes the circuit (i.e. neutral)

Examples of Electronics?

Safety in Electronics

Beware of:

• Exposed Wires
• Damaged Components
• Liquids