Electronics Definition

Definition of Electronics and Difference between Electronics and Electrical.

Electronics Definition – Electronics is the branch of science that deals with the study of flow and control of electrons (electricity) and the study of their behavior and effects in vacuums, gases, and semiconductors, and with devices using such electrons.

This control of electrons is accomplished by devices (electronic components) that resist, carry, select, steer, switch, store, manipulate, and exploit the electron.

Difference Between Electrical and Electronics Definition

Electronics deals with flow of charge (electron) through non-metal conductors (semiconductors).

Electrical deals with the flow of charge through metal conductors.

Example: Flow of charge through silicon which is not a metal would come under electronics whereas flow of charge through copper which is a metal would come under electrical.

Basic Electrical Units and Definition

1. Passive

Capable of operating without an external power source. Typical passive components are resistors, capacitors, inductors and diodes (although the latter are a special case).

Passive Electronic Components

2. Active

Requiring a source of power to operate. Includes transistors (all types), integrated circuits (all types), TRIACs, SCRs, LEDs, etc.

Active Electronic Components

3. DC

Direct Current. The electrons flow in one direction only. Current flow is from negative to positive, although it is often more convenient to think of it as from positive to negative. This is sometimes referred to as “conventional” current as opposed to electron flow.

4. AC

Alternating Current. The electrons flow in both directions in a cyclic manner – first one way, then the other. The rate of change of direction determines the frequency, measured in Hertz (cycles per second).

5. Frequency

Unit is Hertz, Symbol is Hz, old symbol was cps (cycles per second).

A complete cycle is completed when the AC signal has gone from zero volts to one extreme, back through zero volts to the opposite extreme, and returned to zero.

The accepted audio range is from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz. The number of times the signal completes a complete cycle in one second is the frequency.

6. Voltage

Unit is Volts, Symbol is V or U, old symbol was E . Voltage is the “pressure” of electricity, or “electromotive force” (hence the old term E).

A 9V battery has a voltage of 9V DC, and may be positive or negative depending on the terminal that is used as the reference.

The mains has a voltage of 220, 240 or 110V depending where you live – this is AC, and alternates between positive and negative values. Voltage is also commonly measured in millivolts (mV), and 1,000 mV is 1V. Microvolts (uV) and nanovolts (nV) are also used.

7. Current

Unit is Amperes (Amps), Symbol is I . Current is the flow of electricity (electrons). No current flows between the terminals of a battery or other voltage supply unless a load is connected.

The magnitude of the current is determined by the available voltage, and the resistance (or impedance) of the load and the power source.

Current can be AC or DC, positive or negative, depending upon the reference.

For electronics, current may also be measured in mA (milliamps) – 1,000 mA is 1A. Nanoamps (nA) are also used in some cases.

8. Resistance

Unit is Ohms, Symbol is R or Ω . Resistance is a measure of how easily (or with what difficulty) electrons will flow through the device.

Copper wire has a very low resistance, so a small voltage will allow a large current to flow.

Likewise, the plastic insulation has a very high resistance, and prevents current from flowing from one wire to those adjacent.

Resistors have a defined resistance, so the current can be calculated for any voltage. Resistance in passive devices is always positive (i.e. > 0)

9. Capacitance

Unit is Farads, Symbol is C. Capacitance is a measure of stored charge. Unlike a battery, a capacitor stores a charge electrostatically rather than chemically, and reacts much faster.

A capacitor passes AC, but will not pass DC (at least for all practical purposes). The reactance or AC resistance (called impedance) of a capacitor depends on its value and the frequency of the AC signal. Capacitance is always a positive value.

10. Inductance

Unit is Henrys, Symbol is H or L (depending on context). Inductance occurs in any piece of conducting material, but is wound into a coil to be useful.

An inductor stores a charge magnetically, and presents a low impedance to DC (theoretically zero), and a higher impedance to AC dependent on the value of inductance and the frequency.

In this respect it is the electrical opposite of a capacitor. Inductance is always a positive value. The symbol “Hy” is sometimes used in the US. There is no such symbol.

11. Impedance

Unit is Ohms, Symbol is Ω or Z. Unlike resistance, impedance is a frequency dependent value, and is specified for AC signals. Impedance is made up of a combination of resistance, capacitance, and/ or inductance.

In many cases, impedance and resistance are the same (a resistor for example). Impedance is most commonly positive (like resistance), but can be negative with some components or circuit arrangements.

12. Decibels

Unit is Bel, but because this is large, deci-Bels (1/10th Bel) are used), Symbol is dB.

Decibels are used in audio because they are a logarithmic measure of voltage, current or power, and correspond well to the response of the ear.

A 3dB change is half or double the power (0.707 or 1.414 times voltage or current respectively).

Video: Basic Electronics and Electrical Definition

Conclusion

I hope now Electronics Definition is Clear to you. Please feel free to share your thoughts and ideas below in the Comment Section.

FAQs: What is Electronics?

Electronics operates by manipulating the flow of electrons through materials such as conductors, semiconductors, and insulators. Electric currents are controlled and directed using components like resistors, capacitors, and transistors to perform tasks like computation, signal processing, and communication.

Electronic components are basic parts used to build electronic circuits and systems. These include resistors, capacitors, inductors, diodes, transistors, integrated circuits (ICs), and more. They are combined in various configurations to create functional electronic devices.

Analog electronics deals with continuous signals and quantities, while digital electronics deals with discrete signals represented as binary code (0 and 1). Analog devices process real-world data like sound and light, whereas digital devices manipulate data in the form of digital information, such as text, images, and numbers.

Common electronic devices include smartphones, laptops, televisions, radios, microwave ovens, digital cameras, calculators, and GPS systems. These devices utilize various electronic components and circuits to perform specific functions, making our daily lives more convenient and interconnected.

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Santosh Das

Santosh, founder of this Electronics Tutorial Website, is an Electronics Geek, Blogger and Young Entrepreneur. He possesses vast experience in the field of electronics, electronic components, PCB, Soldering, SMT, Telecommunication, ESD Safety, and PCB Assembly Tools, Equipment and Consumables. Keep visiting for daily dose of Tips and Tutorials.

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36 Responses

  1. Shivashankar M says:

    Super

  2. Hung Hoang says:

    Very informative Blog it is!! As I am fresher in this field so for me it’s very helpful.

  3. Aklesh singh says:

    supb

  4. Braimah Osman says:

    A simple down to earth explanations. Good job

  5. Michael Odhiambo says:

    Wonderful explanation of the electronic components.

  6. Lucio Negron says:

    This page definitely has all of the information and facts I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.

  7. Tara says:

    Perfect! Thank you very much, this information was really helpful and the statement language was also very clear.

  8. Joseph Kaaya says:

    I wish you are able to download pdf

  9. Jayanth says:

    Easily we can understand about all contents but iwant to know about sensor plz give ur valuable information to me

  10. kranti says:

    Just read the basic concepts today (chapter 1) and very well understood. I hope, as I proceed there are practical demonstrations as well. Thanks, for the propagation of knowledge.

  11. Snehal says:

    Really helpful sir
    Thanks

  12. Snehal says:

    Really helpful
    Thanks

  13. Ayaribil Listowel Sunday. says:

    I like your simple explaination about the topic.

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