We begin our study of electronics information by first discussing the basics. In this sense, we will cover the fundamentals of electricity – including definitions, examples, and what topics you can expect to study.
Posted in 4th December, 2014 | Electronics InformationBasic Overview
Basic Overview
In this section, we’re going to take a comprehensive look at all the major topics you can expect to appear on the day of your exam. This requires becoming familiar with basic electrical equations, symbols, and theory. Throughout each section, we will go through sample questions to give you a solid basis from which to continue your study, as well as providing such questions as the end of this section with our self-assessment quiz. Taking the time to tackle each of these sections is guaranteed to boost your overall result, as the exam has been constructed around each of the following core concepts. If you find yourself having difficulty with any particular section, read through it again noting important definitions along the way.
This section will take you through the following seven main topics of the ASVAB Electronics Information exam:
- Basic Definitions and Terminology
- Measuring Electrical Activity
- Electricity and Magnetism
- Electrical Symbols
- Circuits
- Semiconductors
- Managing Electricity
Basic Definitions and Terminology
We begin by looking at some of the fundamentals of electricity, which should act as the bedrock for all future learning. So, with this in mind, what exactly is electricity? Put simply, electricity is a form of energy – this energy is itself composed of electrical charges. These charges, in turn, are produced by charged particles inside the atom. Negatively charged particles such as electrons swirl around a centrally located nucleus; itself composed of positively charged protons and neutrally charged neutrons. It’s these charges within the atom, chiefly from the presence of electrons that give rise to the fundamental property of electricity we observe each and every day. Through understanding the charged nature of electricity, this helps us to grasp numerous other common concepts within this subject:
- A conductor is defined as a substance, or material, that freely permits the flow of electrons. Given electrons are charged, we can say that a conductor is a material that allows the free movement of charge. Aluminum and Copper, for example, exhibit this property.
- An insulator, on the other hand, is a material that actively resists the flow of electrons. As insulators resist the transit of charge, electricity is less likely to flow through substances described as insulators. Examples of such materials include plastic and rubber.
- A system of connections that permit the flow of electricity is known as a circuit. Electricity in a circuit flows from its source to its destination. The destination could be, for example, a light – and it’s this final destination where power is accumulated in a circuit that’s known as its load. The light, in this case, is the load of the circuit.
- The regular flow of electricity we see from everything from computers to batteries is known as Direct Current (DC). This is unidirectional flow of electricity. This contrasts with Alternating Current (AC) which, as the name suggests, changes its course many times over its circuits. You’ll find AC in places such as home wiring or other such complex structures.
These terms pop up over and over again and remain foundational to any successful study of your ASVAB Electronics Information exam. Try to keep in your mind where electricity comes from (think of the atom), and how this is transmitted (the type of substance, as well as the type of circuit), as this will act as the skeleton from which you can build further and more complex ideas about electricity. Before we advance onto how we measure electrical activity, we should first note some additional vital definitions you will come across in the course of your studies, terms such as: Voltage, Frequency, and Resistance. Take a look at the table below for more information on these rudimentary electrical concepts.
| # | Concept | Definition |
|---|---|---|
| 01 | Voltage | Also known as electrical tension, this is the electrical pressure between two points – the higher the voltage the more likely it will be to cross an insulator. |
| 02 | Frequency | The rate at which AC completes alternate cycles is known as its frequency. Electricity moves to and from certain points, and the rate it moves from these points is known as its frequency. |
| 03 | Resistance | Resistance confers the property of stopping electrical flow in its tracks. Every circuit we will meet will have some form of resistance, as if it doesn’t – it’s known as short-circuit and holds the risk of overheating. |
If these terms are unfamiliar – don’t worry – as we will encounter them over and over in sections below. By repeatedly coming into contact with an unfamiliar definition, it’s more likely to “make sense” in the long run. The concepts of voltage, frequency, and resistance are fundamental to the operation of circuits, something we’ll be analyzing in more detail below. For now, though, take some time to grasp the ideas behind these initial concepts, as it will help inform our future discussion throughout this ASVAB Electronics Information study guide. With this in mind, let’s turn our attention to how we measure electrical activity, which involves a brief look at electrical equations commonly deployed for this purpose.
In the next section, we will take a look at mechanisms you can use to measure electrical activity – an essential element of your exam.
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