EGNG 281: Introduction to Electrical Circuits Lecture Notes

Course Overview

• Instructor: [Instructor's Name]
• Course Sections: 6 sections; 2 taught by the instructor
  • Other Professors: Dr. Dve, Dr. Smoes, Dr. Ahmed
• Class Size: Smaller class size encouraged for interaction and questions

Administrative Aspects

• Instructor Contact: Email preferred for timely responses; phone messages may not be replied to as quickly
• Prerequisite: Physics 2
• Syllabus Overview: Objectives and course description should be reviewed
• Grading Information:
  • Online Homework: 10%
  • Written Homework: 10%
  • Short Quizzes: 5% (usually one per semester)
  • Exams (2 during semester + 1 final): 25% each
  • Plus/Minus grading scheme in use

Homework Policy

• Types of Assignments:
  • Online (via Mastering Engineering) and written problems (4-5 per week)
  • Homework due on Wednesdays:
    • Written assignments during class
    • Online assignments by 5:00 p.m. the same day
• First Assignment Due: January 16th
• Past Exams and Solutions: Available on Blackboard

Course Expectations

• Importance of Attendance: Not mandatory, but highly recommended for understanding material
• Academic Integrity: Avoid simply copying solutions; understanding is crucial
• Focus on mastering fundamentals for future topics

Course Content Overview

Fundamental Concepts

• Charge, Voltage, Current, Power, and Energy:
  • Charge (Q): Measured in Coulombs (C)
    • Electron charge: -1.62 × 10^-19 C
  • Current (I): Movement of charge, defined as charge/time. Measured in Amperes (A)
  • Voltage (V): Work done in separating charge, measured in Volts (V)
    • Voltage = Work Done (J) / Charge (C)
  • Power (P): Rate of energy transfer, P = V × I. Measured in Watts (W)
    • Interpretation of active vs passive elements:
      • Passive elements: Current flows into the positive terminal, P > 0
      • Active elements: Current flows out of the positive terminal, P < 0
• Passive Sign Convention

Important Terms and Definitions

• Circuit: Interconnection of circuit elements
• Node: Point where two or more elements join
• Loop: Closed path in the circuit
• Mesh: Loop not containing other loops

Key Laws of Circuits

• Kirchhoff’s Current Law (KCL): Net current entering a node must equal zero (conservation of charge)
• Kirchhoff’s Voltage Law (KVL): Algebraic sum of voltages around any closed path must equal zero (conservation of energy)

Closing Thoughts

• Understanding energy and information is pivotal in Electrical Engineering
• The course will emphasize circuit analysis techniques
• Encourage reading materials ahead of the lecture to reinforce concepts

Next Class

• Review of the electric circuit fundamentals and application of concepts discussed.