Electronics: Circuits and Schematics Flashcards
6 cards from real AFCT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Electronics: Circuits and Schematics flashcards as text
In a circuit diagram, what does a triangle symbol pointing toward a line represent?
Answer: A diode
A triangle pointing toward a perpendicular line is the standard schematic symbol for a diode. The triangle represents the anode side, and the line represents the cathode, indicating the direction of conventional current flow.
What is the voltage drop across a 15-ohm resistor when 2 amps of current flows through it?
Answer: 30 volts
Using Ohm's law (V = I × R): V = 2 amps × 15 ohms = 30 volts. The voltage drop across a resistor is directly proportional to both the current through it and its resistance.
What type of circuit has multiple paths for current to flow?
Answer: Parallel circuit
A parallel circuit provides multiple paths (branches) for current flow. If one branch is broken, current continues to flow through the remaining branches, unlike a series circuit where a single break stops all current.
On a schematic, what does the symbol of two parallel lines (one straight, one curved) represent?
Answer: An electrolytic capacitor
Two parallel lines where one is straight and one is curved represent an electrolytic (polarized) capacitor. The curved plate indicates the negative terminal, distinguishing it from a non-polarized capacitor shown with two straight lines.
What happens to total current in a series circuit if you add another resistor?
Answer: Total current decreases
Adding a resistor in series increases total resistance, and since current equals voltage divided by resistance (I = V/R), the total current decreases with a fixed voltage source.
What instrument is used to measure current flowing through a circuit and how must it be connected?
Answer: Ammeter, connected in series
An ammeter measures current and must be connected in series so that all circuit current flows through it. An ammeter has very low internal resistance to minimize its effect on the circuit.