As a student interested in the rapidly changing and expanding field of electricity and electronics, you will find that
Electricity & Electronics provides the fundamentals in easy-to-understand language.
Electricity & Electronics employs a three-pronged approach to learning:
1. Experimentation and demonstration to ensure thorough understanding of the principles. Experiments with step-
by-step instructions are placed throughout the text and have been separated from the text flow by blue rules.
2. Illustration of the principles covered through the use of prevalent and familiar applications of those principles in
the fields of electricity and electronics. These applications bring the concepts into an everyday focus for the
reader. Many chapters contain Applied E&E topics, which relate the electrical principles of electricity and elec-
tronics to state-of-the-art technology. Familiar elements (copying machines, electric guitar) and less familiar ele-
ments (magnetic resonance imaging, night vision) are explored. Applied E&E topics have been separated from
the text flow by green rules.
3. Practical application of developed principles and skills by constructing inexpensive, professional-appearing
projects. The projects have proven appeal. Projects placed throughout this text have been separated from the text
flow by orange rules.
Electricity & Electronics is divided into five sections. Each section begins with an overview of the chapters to be
covered. Each chapter begins with a list of objectives and a list of the chapter’s key words and terms. Each chapter con-
cludes with a summary and two sets of questions over the material you have just learned. Solutions to all Test Your
Knowledge questions can be found in the chapter or solved using the equations presented. Questions and problems pre-
sented in the For Discussion section involve independent thought or independent research, or both.
In the body of the chapters, important words and terms are placed in a bold/italic typeface. Formulas are high-
lighted when they are introduced, allowing you to locate them easily. In addition, each chapter is divided into subsec-
tions. At the end of each subsection, Review Questions are provided.
When you have successfully completed this textbook and your course, you should have a thorough understanding
of the concepts of electricity and electronics. You will also have a basis for applying the principles learned to other,
more advanced studies in these fields.
A bright outlook for the electronics industry in the future translates into opportunities for specialized education
and a lifetime of challenging and rewarding employment. The world of electricity and electronics is a fascinating one,
and we are pleased that you have chosen to explore it with us.
Howard H. Gerrish
William E. Dugger, Jr.
Richard M. Roberts
3
Introduction