Electronic Components

ResistorAn electrical component that limits or

regulates the flow of electrical current in an electronic circuit.

LEDLight Emitting DiodeA light-emitting diode (LED) is a

semiconductor device that emits visible light when an electric current passes through.

PhotocellComponent that varies in its resistance to the

flow of current as a function of the amount of light falling on it.

Integrated Circuit (555 Timer)An integrated circuit (IC), sometimes called

a chip or microchip.A semiconductor wafer on which thousands

or millions of tiny resistors, capacitors, and transistors are fabricated.

An IC can function as an amplifier, oscillator, timer, counter, computer memory, or microprocessor. 

BatteryA container consisting of one or more cells, in

which chemical energy is converted into electricity and used as a source of power.

SpeakerA transducer which converts electrical

energy to sound.

PotentiometerA variable resistor with a third adjustable

terminal.

DiodeA semiconductor device with two terminals,

typically allowing the flow of current in one direction only.

SCR GateSCRs are unidirectional devices (i.e. can

conduct current only in one direction) SCRs can be triggered normally only by

currents going into the gate.

NPN TransistorTransistors 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. Parts

The BASE - which is the lead responsible for activating the transistor.

The COLLECTOR - which is the positive lead.The EMITTER - which is the negative lead.

PNP TransistorPositive Negative Positive

Ceramic CapacitorA fixed value capacitor in

which ceramic material acts as the dielectric.

Electrolytic CapacitorA type of capacitor that uses an electrolyte to

achieve a larger capacitance than other capacitor types. 

Push ButtonCauses 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.