Circuit Process Mechanism

This book deals exhaustively with electrical and electronic circuit processes. Most textbooks neither describe accurately nor precisely the mechanism of the processes in the operation of electrical and electronic circuits. Common misconceptions that are dispelled in the book are: the electric field inside a metal is always zero (even when the system is not in static equilibrium); drifting electrons push each other through a wire just as water molecules push each other through a pipe (despite charge neutrality inside the metal); there cannot be any potential difference across an open switch because V = IR, and there is no I; electrons travel at the speed of light in wires; and, a circuit requires two separate wires for operation. The contents provide an accurate and correct viewpoint of these very fundamental electric and magnetic processes. Every case has been dealt so that a present-day electrical and electronic engineer understands these physical and applied aspects at the first level before he/she studies topics of electromagnetic field theory and electrical circuits or networks. Electrostatics and electric circuits belong to one science and the contents of the book are vital to bridge the gap that present curricula have created between them. Based on latest research findings that unify the two concepts, using vivid diagrams depicting circuit processes with states evolving in time, the student is guided smoothly through the topics on the mechanism of conduction, operation of capacitive and inductive circuits subject to steady and alternating voltages; operation of motors, generators, microphones and loudspeakers and p-n junctions. The revised (2013) edition includes a section describing the function, fabrication and operation of non-rectifying contacts in the chapter on p-n junctions along with animated power point slides depicting their operation in the accompanying CD. The chapters combine text with several illustrative figures and derivations of formulae. The animated power point slides (included in the accompanying CD) for all chapters cover every pertinent principle that will aid readers in visualizing circuit processes. The CD accompanying the revised (2013) edition includes results of simulation runs of circuits that superimpose ac signals on dc voltages and of CR phase-shifting networks typically used in RC Phase shift oscillators. Procedures to obtain these using TINA simulation software are also provided in the CD. It is suitable for first and second year students of Electrical, Electronics and Communication, and Instrumentation Engineering; M.Sc Electronics; practising Electrical and Electronics engineers.