Understanding Electronic Circuits and Their Components

An electronic circuit is a combination of components that function as a whole to perform a certain treatment of electrical signals. Examples include generating radio waves, significantly increasing the power of the signal, and recovering images.
The active components are those that can generate, modify, or expand the electrical signal, such as batteries, generators, diodes, and transistors.
The passive components are those that provide no gain but consume electricity, such as capacitors, resistors, and inductors.

Integrated circuits are electronic circuits in which components are microscopic in size and are contained within a silicon crystal, called a chip. Each chip is enclosed in a plastic sleeve, and the sides have a set of pads that connect several chips via wire.

A capacitor is an electronic component composed of two parallel metal plates, called trusses, separated by air or any other insulating material known as the dielectric. Its function is to store electric charge and transfer it when needed.

The voltmeter is a device used to measure voltage and is connected in parallel. The ammeter is a device used to measure the intensity of the current and is connected in series. The multimeter is a device used to measure intensity, voltage, and resistance, and is connected in parallel.

A diode is an electronic component that allows current to flow in one direction and prevents it from flowing in the reverse direction. It is equipped with two terminals: the anode (+) and cathode (-), which usually leads the current from the anode to the cathode. The polarization can be direct or indirect.
LEDs: These are a special type of light-emitting diodes that convert all the electricity that comes to them into light without generating heat. This is one reason why LEDs are used as indicators.

Rectifier circuit: This circuit converts AC to DC, hindering the flow of current in either direction. The basic component is the diode, which functions as a switch that only allows current flow when the voltage polarity is appropriate.
Half-wave rectification: The diode allows current to flow only in one direction and blocks it in the opposite direction, resulting in a pulsating output current.

A transistor is an electronic component used to amplify electrical signals. There are two types of transistors: bipolar and field effect.
A bipolar transistor has three electrodes: the emitter, collector, and base. When properly connected, the transistor allows no current to pass between the collector and emitter.
NPN transistor: Connects the positive pole to the collector and base.
PNP transistor: Connects the negative pole to the collector and base.

The transistor can operate as a switch and an amplifier.
(As an amplifier) The relationship between output current and input current defines the transistor's current gain. Gain = collector current / base current.