Electronic Components/Terminology

What is the Peak Inverse Voltage of a silicon diode?

1200V

speaker

A transducer which converts electrical energy to sound.

electrolytic capacitor

A type of capacitor that uses an electrolyte to achieve a larger capacitance than other capacitor types.

Potentiometer

A variable resistor with a third adjustable terminal.

integrated circuit

IC, sometimes called a chip or microchip. Semiconductor wafer on which thousands or millions of tiny resistors, capacitors, and transistors are fabricated. Can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, counter, computer memory, or microprocessor.

Which semiconductor is a diode that only allows current to pass when a 'trigger' current is applied to it via a 'gate'?

Thyristor

How does a diode rectify AC to DC

It allows the positive half cycle to pass through, while blocking the negative half cycle. This is called 'half wave' rectification

Which two common functions can a transistor be used for?

It can switch current on and off It can be used to amplify radio signals

LED

Light Emitting Diode, semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through

What name is used if the result of the doping leaves the silicon short of electrons?

P-type. The 'p' stands for positive as it now has an overall positive charge.

Which type of diode only allows current to flow when a light shines on the PN junction?

Photodiode

LED

light emitting diode

resistor

An electrical component that resists the flow of electrical current

Resistor

An electrical device that resists the flow of electrical current

During manufacture of the semiconductor the silicon has its chemical composition altered by adding impurities to the silicon. What is this process known as?

Doping

Which semiconductor device only allows current through it to flow in one direction?

Diode

ceramic capacitor

A fixed value capacitor in which ceramic material acts as the dielectric.

diode

A semiconductor device with two terminals, typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only.

In half wave rectification the negative half cycle is wasted. How can we build a circuit that allows the negative half cycle to be used?

By using 4 diodes in a 'bridge' configuration. We now get 'full wave' rectification.

push button

Causes a temporary change in the state of an electrical circuit only while the switch is physically actuated. An automatic mechanism (i.e. a spring) returns the switch to its default position immediately afterwards, restoring the initial circuit condition.

What is the effect of doping?

It changes the atomic structure of the silicon.

How would individual p-type & n-type semiconductors act in a circuit?

Just like a resistor, passing current in either direction and developing a voltage across them.

Which type of diode gives off light when current flows through it?

Light Emitting Diode (LED)

What name is used if the result of the doping produces silicon that has extra electrons?

N-type. The 'n' stands for negative as extra electrons give an overall negative charge.

SCR gate

SCRs are unidirectional devices (i.e. can conduct current only in one direction). SCRs can be triggered normally only by currents going into the gate.

Which are the two most commonly used semiconductors in the electronics industry?

Silicon (Si) and Germanium (Ge).

What do we call the maximum voltage a diode can withstand without being destroyed?

The Peak Inverse Voltage

What is the symbol for a diode?

The arrowhead points from positive (anode) to negative (cathode)

What will happen if you exceed the voltage rating of a diode?

The diode will break down and start allowing current to flow in both directions

What is the group of materials called that fall somewhere between conductor and insulator materials which are neither good conductors nor good insulators?

These materials are called semiconductors.

When a piece of p-type & a piece of n-type are formed together at a junction. What is the semiconductor now called?

This junction is known as the p-n junction. The silicon now does not behave like a resistor.

What is the main use of diodes?

To rectify (convert) AC to DC

Which semiconductor device is two diode combined together?

Transistor B = Base C = Collector E = Emitter The amount of current flowing at B controls the amount of current flowing between C and E

NPN Transistor

Transistors can be regarded as a type of switch. They are central to electronics and there are two main types; NPN and PNP. Most circuits tend to use NPN. The BASE is the lead responsible for activating the transistor. The COLLECTOR is the positive lead. The EMITTER is the negative lead.

battery

container consisting of one or more cells in which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power

PNP transistor

positive - negative - positive