Introduction to Electronics
Discover how electricity flows and circuits work
Discover how electricity flows and circuits work
Electricity is the flow of tiny particles called electrons through a conductor like wire.
Tiny negative particles that flow through conductive materials like copper wire.
A complete loop that allows electrons to flow from a power source and back.
Materials like copper and gold that allow electrons to flow easily through them.
Electrons in a wire actually move quite slowly - about 0.1 mm per second! But the electrical signal travels at nearly the speed of light.
Think of electricity like water flowing through pipes. This analogy makes the concepts easy to understand!
Water: Water pressure
Electricity: "Push" that moves electrons
Water: Flow rate
Electricity: Amount of electrons flowing
Water: Pipe narrowing
Electricity: Opposition to electron flow
Voltage = Current × Resistance
The foundation of all electronics!
Georg Ohm discovered his famous law in 1827, but it was rejected by scientists for years. He died before seeing it become one of the most important laws in electronics!
Electronic circuits are built from components. Each one has a specific job. Click each to learn more!
Click a component above to learn about it!
A modern smartphone contains over 2 billion transistors - tiny electronic switches smaller than a virus!
Click the switch to complete the circuit and light up the LED! A circuit must be a complete loop for current to flow.
When the loop is broken, electrons can't flow and nothing works.
A complete loop allows current to flow and power your components.
The first LED was invented in 1962 and only glowed red. Today, LEDs come in every color and are 90% more efficient than incandescent bulbs!
Schematics are circuit diagrams using standard symbols. Match each symbol to its component name!
The schematic symbols we use today were standardized in the 1950s. Engineers around the world can read the same circuit diagram regardless of language!
You now understand how electricity flows, what voltage, current, and resistance mean, and how basic components work together. Time to build your own circuits!
Electricity flows in a complete circle from power source, through components, and back.
Ohm's Law: Voltage equals Current times Resistance. The foundation of all electronics.
Resistors limit current, LEDs emit light, capacitors store energy, switches control on/off.
Circuit diagrams use symbols to show how components connect - a universal language.
Put your new knowledge into practice!