Electronics For Dummies, 3rd Edition

Table of contents

1. 1. Cover
   2. Introduction
      1. About This Book
      2. Foolish Assumptions
      3. Icons Used in This Book
      4. Beyond the Book
      5. Where to Go from Here
   3. Part I: Fathoming the Fundamentals of Electronics
      1. Chapter 1: Introducing You to Electronics
         1. Just What Is Electronics?
         2. Checking Out Electric Current
         3. Understanding Voltage
         4. Putting Electrical Energy to Work
         5. Using Circuits to Make Sure Electrons Arrive at Their Destination
         6. Supplying Electrical Energy
         7. Marveling at What Electrons Can Do
      2. Chapter 2: Gearing Up to Explore Electronics
         1. Getting the Tools You Need
         2. Stocking Up on Essential Supplies
         3. Getting Ready to Rumble
         4. Using a Solderless Breadboard
      3. Chapter 3: Running Around in Circuits
         1. Comparing Closed, Open, and Short Circuits
         2. Understanding Conventional Current Flow
         3. Examining a Basic Circuit
      4. Chapter 4: Making Connections
         1. Creating Series and Parallel Circuits
         2. Switching Electric Current On and Off
         3. Creating a Combination Circuit
         4. Switching On the Power
         5. What Do Circuits Look Like?
   4. Part II: Controlling Current with Components
      1. Chapter 5: Meeting Up with Resistance
         1. Resisting the Flow of Current
         2. Resistors: Passive Yet Powerful
         3. Combining Resistors
      2. Chapter 6: Obeying Ohm’s Law
         1. Defining Ohm’s Law
         2. Using Ohm’s Law to Analyze Circuits
         3. Seeing Is Believing: Ohm’s Law Really Works!
         4. What Is Ohm’s Law Really Good For?
         5. The Power of Joule’s Law
      3. Chapter 7: Getting Charged Up about Capacitors
         1. Capacitors: Reservoirs for Electrical Energy
         2. Charging and Discharging Capacitors
         3. Discovering Uses for Capacitors
         4. Characterizing Capacitors
         5. Combining Capacitors
         6. Teaming Up with Resistors
      4. Chapter 8: Identifying with Inductors
         1. Kissing Cousins: Magnetism and Electricity
         2. Introducing the Inductor: A Coil with a Magnetic Personality
         3. Uses for Inductors
         4. Using Inductors in Circuits
         5. Tuning in to Radio Broadcasts
         6. Influencing the Coil Next Door: Transformers
      5. Chapter 9: Diving into Diodes
         1. Are We Conducting or Aren’t We?
         2. Forming a Junction Diode
         3. Using Diodes in Circuits
      6. Chapter 10: Tremendously Talented Transistors
         1. Transistors: Masters of Switching and Amplifying
         2. Examining How Transistors Work
         3. Amplifying Signals with a Transistor
         4. Switching Signals with a Transistor
         5. Choosing Transistors
         6. Gaining Experience with Transistors
      7. Chapter 11: Innovating with Integrated Circuits
         1. Why ICs?
         2. Linear, Digital, or Combination Plate?
         3. Making Decisions with Logic
         4. Using ICs
         5. Using Your Logic
         6. Hanging Out with Some Popular ICs
      8. Chapter 12: Acquiring Additional Parts
         1. Making Connections
         2. Powering Up
         3. Using Your Sensors
         4. Experiencing the Outcome of Electronics
   5. Part III: Getting Serious about Electronics
      1. Chapter 13: Preparing Your Lab and Ensuring Your Safety
         1. Picking a Place to Practice Electronics
         2. Acquiring Tools and Supplies
         3. Stocking Up on Parts and Components
         4. Protecting You and Your Electronics
      2. Chapter 14: Interpreting Schematics
         1. What’s a Schematic and Why Should I Care?
         2. Seeing the Big Picture
         3. Recognizing Symbols of Power
         4. Labeling Circuit Components
         5. Knowing Where to Take Measurements
         6. Exploring a Schematic
         7. Alternative Schematic Drawing Styles
      3. Chapter 15: Building Circuits
         1. Taking a Look at Solderless Breadboards
         2. Building Circuits with Solderless Breadboards
         3. Soldering 101
         4. Creating a Permanent Circuit
      4. Chapter 16: Mastering Your Multimeter to Measure Circuits
         1. Multitasking with a Multimeter
         2. Exploring Multimeters
         3. Setting Up Your Multimeter
         4. Operating Your Multimeter
         5. Using a Multimeter to Check Your Circuits
      5. Chapter 17: Putting Projects Together
         1. Getting What You Need Right Off the Bat
         2. Creating an LED Flasher Circuit
         3. Creating an LED Bike Flasher
         4. Catching Intruders with a Light-Sensing Alarm
         5. Playing the C-Major Scale
         6. Scaring Off the Bad Guys with a Siren
         7. Building an Audio Amp with Volume Control
         8. Creating Light Chasers
         9. Red Light, Green Light, 1-2-3!
   6. Part IV: The Part of Tens
      1. Chapter 18: Ten Ways to Explore Electronics Further
         1. Surfing for Circuits
         2. Getting a Jumpstart with Hobby Kits
         3. Simulating Circuit Operation
         4. Scoping Out Signals
         5. Counting Up Those Megahertz
         6. Generating a Variety of Signals
         7. Exploring Basic Computer Architectures
         8. Microcontrolling Your Environment
         9. Getting a Taste of Raspberry Pi
         10. Try, Fry, and Try Again
      2. Chapter 19: Ten Great Electronics Parts Sources
         1. North America
         2. Outside North America
         3. What’s RoHS Compliance?
         4. New or Surplus?
   7. Glossary
   8. About the Author
   9. Cheat Sheet
   10. Advertisement Page
   11. Connect with Dummies
   12. End User License Agreement