ECE110

In this module capacitors and inductors are introduced as circuit elements and then the natural and step response of first order circuits are studied. The module has been organized to first provide an introduction to inductors and capacitors as circuit elements. This section of the module can be omitted, if the student is already familiar with the material. The second part covers the natural and step response of simple RC and RL circuits. The results are then extended to general first order RC and RL circuits, by exploiting the student’s knowledge of Thévenin and Norton equivalent circuits an superposition.

This module concentrates on study of various concepts in electromagnetic induction, such as magnetic flux, induced emf and induced current in a conducting loop through the introduction to Faraday’s and Lenz’s laws. A derivation illustrating the energy transfer process and the balance of power due to electromagnetic induction is presented as well. Finally, the properties of inductors including inductance, stored energy and equivalent inductance in electric circuits are discussed in the module.

Capacitor is the focal point of this module. In this module, a pair of parallel-plates is used to model this electric element, and its capacitance is defined. The various shapes and types (e.g. dielectric) of capacitors are discussed following the same principles found in a parallel-plate capacitor. The energy storing ability of the capacitor is examined as well, and a discussion on how to deal with multiple capacitors in an electric circuit rounds up the materials covered in this module.

The electric potential and electric potential energy are studies in this module.  The module begins with an introduction of electric potential energy of a point charge, and then a discussion of the concept of electric potential as a property of the electric field. The concept is further examined through derivations of electric potentials of multiple point charges, sheet charge and non-conducting solid. 

In this module, the analysis of sinusoidally driven circuits and the calculation of ac power is studied. This module begins with a brief analysis of sinusoidally driven circuits in the time domain to illustrate that it is tedious. The Phasor transform and Phasor analysis techniques are then introduced to greatly simplify the analysis of these circuits. The analysis of instantaneous and average power is then introduced with a strong emphasis on sinusoidally driven circuits. Complex power is then introduced along with some Phasor diagrams to illustrate various power relations and their calculations. The main emphasis of the module is on developing the basic tools used in the field.

The concept of electric field is studies in this module.  This module starts by introducing the concepts of electric field and electric field lines. The electric flux is then discussed in reasonable detail, with several examples, leading up to the study of Gauss’ law where the attention is focused on applications of the law by exploring the symmetry in electric field patterns. The module ends on a derivation of electric field strength between a pair of conducting parallel-plate, paving the way for further study of capacitors in subsequent module.