Arithmetic Logic Unit
/ˌeɪ ɛl ˈjuː/
noun … “Circuit that performs arithmetic and logic operations.”
ALU, short for Arithmetic Logic Unit, is a fundamental component of a CPU or microprocessor that executes mathematical calculations (addition, subtraction, multiplication, division) and logical operations (AND, OR, NOT, XOR). The ALU processes binary data from registers or memory and outputs the result to registers, memory, or other parts of the system.
Inductor
/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.
Energy
/ˈɛnərdʒi/
noun … “Capacity to do work.”
Energy is a fundamental physical quantity that represents the ability of a system to perform work, produce heat, or cause physical change. In electrical systems, energy is the total work done by electric charges moving through a potential difference over time, typically measured in joules (J). Energy can exist in multiple forms, including kinetic, potential, thermal, chemical, and electrical.
Key characteristics of Energy include:
Power
/ˈpaʊər/
noun … “Rate of doing work or transferring energy.”
Power in electrical systems is the rate at which energy is transferred or converted by an electrical circuit. It is determined by the product of voltage and current, representing how much work is being done per unit time. Power is a critical measure for sizing circuits, selecting components, and understanding energy consumption.
Key characteristics of Power include:
Current
/ˈkʌrənt/
noun … “Flow of electric charge.”
Current is the rate at which electric charge flows through a conductor or circuit, typically carried by electrons in metals or ions in electrolytes. It is one of the fundamental concepts in electricity, working alongside voltage and resistance to describe how electrical energy moves and performs work in circuits.
Key characteristics of Current include:
Voltage
/ˈvoʊltɪdʒ/
noun … “Electrical potential difference between two points.”
Voltage is the measure of electric potential energy per unit charge between two points in a circuit. It represents the force that drives electric charges to move through a conductor, creating current. Voltage is fundamental to understanding and designing electrical and electronic systems.
Key characteristics of Voltage include:
Electricity
/ɪˌlɛkˈtrɪsɪti/
noun … “Flow of electric charge.”
Battery
/ˈbætəri/
noun … “Device that stores chemical energy and provides electrical power.”
Finite-State Machine
/ˈfaɪnɪt steɪt məˌʃiːn/
noun … “Model of computation with a limited number of states.”
Finite-State Machine (FSM) is an abstract computational model used to design sequential circuits or software systems. It consists of a finite set of states, a set of inputs that trigger transitions between states, and a set of outputs determined by its current state (and sometimes input). FSMs are widely used for modeling control logic, communication protocols, parsers, and embedded systems.
Flip-Flop
/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: