Reading #1

Basic Electrical Concepts: This is Chapter 1 in the standard text and in most other texts. It defines terminology that you would normally be expected to be familiar with from a previous physics course. I urge you to take the time to refresh your conceptual understanding of these terms so that you are not working from a completely mechanical view of the behavior of circuits.

What is current? What is its definition as a derivative? What are the units of current?

How is current related to total charge?

Is current used up as the charges progress through a circuit?

What is actually moving through the circuit - positive charge or negative charge?

When a current is indicated in a particular direction which sign of charge is being described?

What is voltage? What is its definition as a derivative? What are the units of voltage?

What is the relationship between work/energy and voltage?

Is voltage a point value or a difference between two points?

What is electric power? What is its definition as a derivative? What are the units of power?

What is the relationship between power and energy?

What is another unit for energy derived from the units for power?

How do I determine power from voltage and current?

What is the engineering sign convention for power absorbed or produced by a device?

How do I understand the meaning of the sign of the power determined?

Engineering Materials