Electronics For Dummies, 2nd Edition

Electronics For Dummies^®

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Table of Contents

Introduction

Why Buy This Book?

Why Electronics?

Foolish Assumptions

Safety Is Number 1

How This Book Is Organized

Part I: Understanding the Fundamentals of Electronics

Part II: Getting Your Hands Dirty

Part III: Putting Theory into Practice

Part IV: The Part of Tens

Icons Used in This Book

Part I: Understanding the Fundamentals of Electronics

Chapter 1: What Is Electronics and What Can It Do for You?

Just What Is Electronics?

Checking Out Electric Current

Getting a charge out of electrons

Mobilizing electrons in conductors

Giving electrons a nudge

Harnessing Electrical Energy to Do Work

Tapping into electrical energy

Making sure electrons arrive at their destination

Oh, the Things Electrons Can Do (Once You Put Their Minds to It)!

Creating good vibrations

Seeing is believing

Sensing and alarming

Controlling motion

Solving problems (a.k.a. computing)

Communicating

Chapter 2: Manipulating Electricity to Make Something Happen

Supplying Electrical Energy

Getting direct current from a battery

Using alternating current from a power plant

Transforming light into electricity

Understanding Directions: Real Electron Flow versus Conventional Current Flow

Examining a Simple Light-Bulb Circuit

Controlling Electrical Current with Basic Components

Ways to control current

Active versus passive components

Making Connections: Series and Parallel ...