LESSON 02

Circuit elements
I. Reading and comprehension:
Current moves from a point of high potential energy to one of low
potential. It can only do so if there is a path for it to follow. This path is called
an electrical circuit. All circuits contain four elements: a source, a load, a
transmission system and a control.
The source provides the electromotive force. This establishes the
difference in potential which makes the current to flow possible. T he source can
be any devices which supplies electrical energy. For example, it may be a
generator or a battery.
The load converts the electrical energy from the source into some other
form of energy. For instance, a lamp changes electrical energy into light and
heat. The load can be any electrical device.
The transmission system conducts the current round the circuit. Any conductor
can be part of a transmitting system. Most systems consist of wires. It is often
possible, however, for the metal frame of a unit to be one section of its
transmission system. For example, the metal chassis of many electric devices are
used to conduct current. Similarly, the body of a car is part of its electrical
transmission system.
The control regulates the current flow in the circuit. It may control the
current by limiting it, as does a rheostat, or by interrupting it, as does a switch.

Figure 2.1
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 Study figure 2.1. In this simple flashlight circuit, the source comprises
three 1.5V cells in series. The load is a 0.3 W bulb. Part of transmission system
is the metal body of the flashlight, and the control is a sliding switch.

Compare figure 2.2. The function of this circuit is to operate a television

camera aboard a space satellite. Here the source is a battery of solar cells. A
solar cell is an electric cell which converts sun light into energy. The load is the
television camera. The transmission system is the connecting wires. The control
is a relay actuated bys transmissions from ground control. Although the function
of this circuit is much more complex than that of the flashlight, it too consists of
the four basic elements.

Exercise 1: Rephrasing
Rewrite the following sentences, replacing the words in italics with
expressions from the passage which has a similar meaning.
1. A lamp converts electrical energy into light.
2. The generator provides the circuit with electromotive force.
3. The metal frame of the oscilloscope is part of its transmission system.
4. The rheostat controls the current flow in the circuit.

Exercise 2: Contextual reference

What do the pronouns in italics in these sentences refer to?
1. Current moves from a point of high potential energy to one of low
potential.(line 1)
A- Current. B- Energy C- A point

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2. For example, it may be a generator or a battery. (line 7)
A- The source B- A device C- Electromotive force.
3. It is often possible, however, for the metal frame of a unit to be one section of
its transmission system. (Line 13)
A- The metal frame’s. B- The unit’s. C- The circuit’s.
4. Although the function of this circuit is much more complex than that of the
flashlight, it too consists of the four elements. (Line 27)
A- This circuit. B- The function. C- The flashlight.

Exercise 3: Checking fact and ideas

Decide if these statements are true (T) or false (F). Quote from the
passage to support your decisions.
1. A difference in potential is required before current can flow in a circuit.
2. A generator is a source of electromotive force.
3. Loads converts systems must consist of wires.

II. Use of language

1. Describing function

When we answer the question what does it do?. We describe the function of it.
Example:
What does a fuse do? It protects a circuit.
We can emphasize function by using this pattern: The function of a fuse id
to protect a circuit.
-Now identify and explain the function of each component with help of this list.
a- adds capacitance to a circuit. f- Protect a circuit.
b- Rectifies alternating currents. g- Varies the current in a circuit.
c- Adds resistance to a circuit. h- Transforms AC voltages.
d- Measures very small currents. i- Receives RF signal
e- Breaks a circuit. j- Selects a frequency

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2. Describing purpose
When we answer the question What is it for?, we describe the purpose of it.
Example:
What is an ammeter for? It is for measuring current.
Other ways we can describe the purpose of an ammeter are:
1. It is used for measuring current.
2. It is used to measure current.
3. We measure current with an ammeter.
4. We measure current using an ammeter.
Now describe the purpose of these instruments and tools using any of the
structures presented above.
1. A voltmeter. 5. A heat sink
2. A soldering iron. 6. wire-clippers
3. A milli-ammeter 7. A mega-ohmmeter
4. An oscilloscope. 8. An ohmmeter
9. A signal generator. 10. A battery charger.

3. Relative clause 2: making definition

Study these two sentences:
The cables were undamaged.

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The cables were armoured.
We can link in two ways using a relative clause:
1. The cables WHICH WERE ARMOURED were undamaged
2. The cables, WHICH WERE ARMOURED, were undamaged.

Sentence 1 means that only armoured cables were undamaged. Other

cables, for example PVC coated cables, were damaged. The relative clause is
adefining one. It defines the type of cables which were undamaged. It carries
essential information.

Sentence 2 means that all the cables were undamaged and all the cables
were armoured. The relative clause is a non-defining one. It adds extra
information to the sentence still makes good sense. It is separated from the rest
of the sentence by commas.
One use of defining relative clauses is to make definition. Study this diagram.

We can make a definition of a solar cell by joining (a), (b) and (c).
→A solar cell is an electric cell which converts sunlight into electrical energy.
Now make eight definitions using information in this table. You must
decide the correct combinations of (A), (B) and (C).

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4. Describing component values
Study this table below:

Identify the following components in the circuit of the amplifier and wire
out their value in full
* R4 *F1
*R9 * L1
*C 5 * RL
*C1 *R8

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Good luck