Basic Electronics

Junior Science

Definition
Electronics is the careful and exact
control of very small electric
currents.
Television, Computers and DVD
players are just some devices which
work by means of electronics.

Ms. Hennessey

2016

Electronic Components
Components are the parts from which
electronic circuits are built.
Each component responds to
electricity in a particular way.
By connecting the right components
engineers can build anything from a
door chime to a computer.
These components including
Resistors, LDRs, Diodes, LEDs
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Diode
-

Battery

A diode is a device which allows current to

flow through a circuit in one direction only.
The diode gets its name from the fact that
it contains two (di) electrodes (odes).
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Diode
In FORWARD BIAS the diode has low
resistance and allows current to flow (+ of
battery is connected to + terminal of the Diode)
+
+
-

In REVERSE BIAS no current will flow (+ of

battery is connected to the terminal of the Diode)

Ms. Hennessey

2016

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

-

An LED is a diode that gives out light when a

current flows through it.
Use very little current, are very reliable, cheap
and long lasting.
Must be in Forward Bias to allow current
flow.
Ms. Hennessey

2016

LED in a Simple Circuit

LED

Resisto
r
470

470 ohms
9V

LED

9V
battery

An LED uses only a small amount of current and

therefore a resistor must be connected in series
with it so not to damage it by too large a current
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Testing the polarity of a power

supply
Red Green
LED
LED

9V
330 ohms

Ms. Hennessey

330 ohms

Which LED will Light?

The RED LED

Because it is in
FORWARD BIAS

2016

Example Question

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2016

Use of LEDs
Useful indicator
lamps on a
variety of
electrical
equipment.
Clocks and cash
registers use
LEDs as digital
displays
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Resistors

Resistors control current and voltage.

The relationship is defined by Ohms Law
V=IR.
Resistors are made in standard resistance
values, which is printed on each resistor.
Colour coding is used instead of numbering
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Example Question

Ms. Hennessey

2016

Light Dependent Resistor

(LDR)
An LDR is a resistor whose
resistance depends on the
amount of light falling on it
The resistance
decreases as the amount
of light increases
allowing current through
the LDR.
The resistance increases
when the amount of light
decreases.

Ms. Hennessey

2016

Light Intensity v Resistance in

an LDR
Multimeter
used as an
Ohmmeter

As the light intensity increases the resistance in the cir

decreases and more current will flow through the circui

Ms. Hennessey

2016

Example Question

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2016

Light Dependent Resistor Uses

Uses
Street Lamps
Cameras
determining exposure
time
Laptops change
screen brightness
according to light
conditions
Ms. Hennessey

2016

Summary
Electronics is the careful and exact control of very small electric
currents.
Electronic circuits are built from components such as Resistors,
LDRs, Diodes, LEDs
A Diode is a device which allows current to flow through a circuit in
one direction only.
An LED is a diode that gives out light when a current flows through
it.
Resistors control current (I) and voltage (V). The relationship is
defined by Ohms Law V=IR.
An LDR is a resistor whose resistance increases when the amount of
light decreases.

Ms. Hennessey

2016