Component

/ɪnˈdʌktər/

noun … “Component that stores energy in a magnetic field.”

Inductor is a passive electronic component that resists changes in current by storing energy in a magnetic field created around a coil of wire. Inductors are widely used in filtering, energy storage, tuning circuits, and electromagnetic interference suppression. They work in tandem with capacitors and resistors to form fundamental building blocks of analog circuits.

Key characteristics of Inductor include:

• Inductance: measured in henries (H), representing the ability to store magnetic energy per unit current.
• Current response: opposes changes in current according to V = L × (dI/dt).
• Core material: air, ferrite, or iron cores influence efficiency and magnetic properties.
• Applications: filters, transformers, chokes, energy storage in switching regulators, and oscillators.
• Series and parallel behavior: determines total inductance in circuits.

Workflow example: Current change in an inductor:

inductor = Inductor(L=0.01)   -- 10 mH
di_dt = 5                     -- rate of current change in A/s
voltage = inductor.L * di_dt
print(voltage)                 -- 0.05 V

Here, the inductor generates a voltage opposing the change in current, stabilizing the circuit.

Conceptually, an Inductor is like a flywheel for electric current: it resists sudden changes and smooths out fluctuations.

See Capacitor, Resistor, Signal Processing, AC, Power Supply.

/ˈbætəri/

noun … “Device that stores chemical energy and provides electrical power.”

Battery is a portable energy source that converts stored chemical energy into electrical energy through electrochemical reactions. Batteries provide direct current (DC) electricity, powering devices ranging from small electronics like smartphones and watches to large systems like electric vehicles and backup power grids. They consist of one or more electrochemical cells, each containing electrodes (anode and cathode) and an electrolyte that facilitates ion flow.

Key characteristics of Battery include:

• Voltage: electrical potential difference across its terminals.
• Capacity: measured in ampere-hours (Ah), representing how much charge it can store.
• Energy density: amount of energy stored per unit weight or volume.
• Rechargeability: primary (non-rechargeable) vs. secondary (rechargeable) batteries.
• Internal resistance: affects efficiency and power delivery.

Common types of Battery include alkaline, lithium-ion, lead-acid, nickel-metal hydride (NiMH), and solid-state batteries. Batteries are used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, renewable energy storage, medical devices, and backup power systems.

Workflow example: Supplying power to a circuit:

battery_voltage = 9
circuit.connect(battery_voltage)
device.power(circuit.output)

Here, the battery provides DC voltage to power the device through the connected circuit.

Conceptually, a Battery is like a water tank storing energy: it holds potential energy and releases it when needed to keep the system running.

See DC, Power Supply, Energy Storage, Voltage, Current.

/ˈflɪp flɑːp/

noun … “Basic memory element in digital circuits.”

Flip-Flop is a bistable sequential circuit that can store one bit of binary information, holding a state of 0 or 1 until it is changed by a control signal. Flip-flops are the building blocks of digital memory, registers, counters, and finite state machines (FSMs), providing the essential ability to store and remember information in digital systems.

Key characteristics of Flip-Flop include:

• Bistable operation: maintains either a high (1) or low (0) state indefinitely until triggered.
• Clocked or triggered: changes state based on input signals and/or clock edges.
• Types: SR (Set-Reset), D (Data), JK, and T (Toggle) flip-flops, each with different input behavior.
• Applications: memory storage, counters, shift registers, synchronization, and state machines.
• Edge sensitivity: many flip-flops change state on the rising or falling edge of a clock signal.

Workflow example: D flip-flop storing a bit:

d_input = 1
clk_edge = detect_rising_edge(clock)
if clk_edge:
    q_output = d_input   -- store input at clock edge

Here, the flip-flop captures the value of d_input at the clock edge and maintains it until the next trigger.

Conceptually, a Flip-Flop is like a light switch with memory: once set, it stays in the on or off position until someone flips it again.

See Sequential Circuit, Registers, Finite State Machine, Clock Signal, Digital.

/ˌmaɪkroʊˈprɑːsɛsər/

noun … “Central processing unit on a single integrated circuit.”

Microprocessor is a compact electronic chip that contains the core computational components of a computer or embedded system, including the central processing unit, arithmetic logic unit (ALU), control unit, and registers. Microprocessors execute instructions stored in memory, perform arithmetic and logical operations, and control data flow between peripherals, making them the heart of modern computing devices.

Key characteristics of Microprocessor include:

• Instruction execution: processes binary instructions according to its instruction set architecture (ISA).
• Registers: temporary storage for immediate data and control information.
• ALU: performs arithmetic and logical operations.
• Clocked operation: synchronized by a clock signal to perform sequential operations.
• Integration: often includes cache memory and bus interfaces on the same chip.

Applications of Microprocessor include personal computers, servers, smartphones, embedded controllers, robotics, and industrial automation systems. Microprocessors serve as the central control and computation unit in virtually all digital devices.

Workflow example: Simple instruction execution:

instruction = memory.fetch(pc)
decoded = microprocessor.decode(instruction)
result = microprocessor.execute(decoded)
pc = pc + 1

Here, the microprocessor fetches, decodes, and executes instructions sequentially, updating its program counter for the next operation.

Conceptually, a Microprocessor is like a tiny brain on a chip: it receives information, decides what to do, performs calculations, and sends commands to the rest of the system.

See CPU, Integrated Circuit, Microcontroller, ALU, Registers.

/kəˈpæsɪtər/

noun … “Component that stores and releases electrical energy.”

Capacitor is a passive electronic component that stores energy in an electric field between two conductive plates separated by a dielectric material. Capacitors are widely used in electronic circuits for energy storage, filtering, signal coupling, timing, and voltage regulation. They can respond rapidly to changes in voltage, making them essential for stabilizing power supplies and shaping signals.

Key characteristics of Capacitor include:

• Capacitance: measured in farads (F), indicates how much charge the capacitor can store.
• Voltage rating: maximum voltage the capacitor can safely handle.
• Dielectric type: determines performance characteristics (ceramic, electrolytic, film, tantalum, etc.).
• Equivalent series resistance (ESR): affects efficiency and frequency response.
• Polarity: some capacitors are polarized (electrolytic), while others are non-polarized (ceramic, film).

Common applications of Capacitor include filtering ripple in power supplies, coupling AC signals between stages of amplifiers, timing circuits in oscillators, and energy storage in camera flashes or pulse circuits.

Workflow example: Smoothing a DC voltage:

dc_input = rectifier.convert(ac_input)
capacitor.connect(dc_input)
dc_smoothed = capacitor.charge_discharge(dc_input)

Here, the capacitor charges when voltage rises and discharges when it drops, reducing fluctuations and providing a more stable DC voltage.

Conceptually, a Capacitor is like a water reservoir: it stores water when supply is high and releases it when demand increases, keeping flow steady.

See Resistor, Inductor, Power Supply, Signal Processing, AC.

/rɪˈzɪstər/

noun … “Component that limits current flow.”

Resistor is a passive electronic component that restricts the flow of electric current in a circuit, converting electrical energy into heat. Resistors are fundamental in controlling voltage, setting current levels, dividing voltages, and protecting sensitive components. They are typically made from materials with precise resistance values, such as carbon film, metal film, or wire-wound elements.

Key characteristics of Resistor include:

• Resistance value: measured in ohms (Ω), determines how much it limits current.
• Tolerance: the accuracy of the resistance value (e.g., ±1%, ±5%).
• Power rating: maximum energy it can safely dissipate without damage.
• Temperature coefficient: how resistance changes with temperature.
• Types: fixed, variable (potentiometers or rheostats), and special types like thermistors or photoresistors.

Common applications of Resistor include current limiting for LEDs, voltage dividers, signal conditioning, biasing transistors, and filtering in combination with capacitors or inductors.

Workflow example: Limiting current to an LED:

v_supply = 5         -- volts
v_led = 2             -- LED forward voltage
i_desired = 0.02      -- 20 mA
resistor_value = (v_supply - v_led) / i_desired   -- Ohm's law
led.connect(resistor_value)

Here, the resistor ensures that the LED receives the correct current to operate safely without burning out.

Conceptually, a Resistor is like a narrow section of pipe in a water system: it slows down the flow, controlling how much water passes through.

See Voltage, Current, Power, Capacitor, Transistor.