Exercise: Electrical Theory Practice¶

Objective¶

Objective: self-test your knowledge of basic electrical theory.

This exercise is a paper exercise to review basic symbols, notation, and electrical theory. These are essential skills for problem-solving within the course and you will be expected to apply these in practice.

Please print this page and answer all questions as best you can without references. Please treat this as an opportunity to check and review your knowledge. The intent is to help us diagnose your skills; please show all work, and write a note if you have difficulty in some area.

Schematic Symbols¶

Please write one or more names of the component or concept represented by each schematic symbol below. For some cases several hand-drawn variants are included.

What is the meaning of each of the following acronyms?

Acronym	Meaning
SPST
SPDT
LED
DMM

Please label the anode and cathode on the following.

Is the anode or cathode the more positive terminal when the device is conducting?

Notation¶

What property and measurement units do each of the following symbols typically represent?

Symbol	Property	Units
\(i\)
\(V\)
\(R\)

What do each of these symbols indicate on a schematic?

Symbol	Meaning
\(\Omega\)
\(K\)

Rules and Measurement¶

In our graph-based circuit terminology, a node is an idealized connection point joining two or more component terminals. The ground is the node which we conventionally designated as the zero volt potential. Potentials or voltages exist between nodes. Currents are measured through a conducting path.

If a voltage \(V\) is measured between two nodes, what is the measurement if the leads are reversed?

What is the canonical form of Ohm’s Law? What are the alternate forms that solve for each dependent variable?

What is a concise mathematical statement that can be made about the sum of currents entering a given node?

What is a concise mathematical statement that can be made about the sum of voltages around a circuit loop?

If voltage \(V_{xy}\) is measured between points X and Y, and voltage \(V_{yz}\) between points Y and Z, what is the voltage \(V_{xz}\) between points X and Z?