Navigating Electronics Basics: Learning What to Start With

[Mr_Bojingles]

I'm having trouble learning electronics because I don't know what to start with. For example in order to learn about capacitors I need to know what they're used for. I know they store charge but I don't know what this stored charge is used for. When I read up on them it tells me they're used for coupling, smoothing, filtering, tuning, etc. but I have no idea what any of those things are so I can't get a proper understanding of the function of a capacitor.

If I look up what coupling, smoothing, and all that stuff are it gives explanations involving transistors and things like that but I don't understand anything about transistors yet.

Is it best to learn about the components separately from the beginning or learn about all the different functions of electronics circuits like coupling, smoothing, amplifying so when I read about components I'll know what purpose they serve?

I'm having serious trouble with transistors and radio circuits at the moment.

 

[berkeman]

You may have seen me giving this advice already (multiple times), but I would highly recommend that you check out the book "The Art of Electronics" by Horowitz and Hill:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/0521370957/?tag=pfamazon01-20

It is a very practical beginning electronics textbook. It is used in many intro EE courses at universities, and is also a great self-study book. It will take you from the basics of RC circuits, up through basic microcontroller concepts. Read this book cover-to-cover, and many of your questions will be answered. And for those that are not answered by that book, you always have the PF!

 

[ravenprp]

Learning electronics can definitely be overwhelming, especially if you are unsure of where to start. I would recommend breaking down your learning into smaller, more manageable chunks. Start by learning the basics of electricity such as voltage, current, and resistance. This will give you a foundation to build upon when learning about components like capacitors.

When it comes to learning about components, it's important to understand their basic function and how they fit into a circuit. In the case of capacitors, they store electrical charge and can be used for various purposes such as filtering or smoothing out voltage. It may be helpful to start by understanding the basic concept of capacitors and then delve into their specific uses in different types of circuits.

As for learning about functions like coupling, smoothing, and amplifying, it can be beneficial to have a general understanding of these terms but it's not necessary to fully understand them in order to grasp the function of a component. It may be helpful to learn about these functions as you come across them in your studies, rather than trying to learn them all at once.

When it comes to transistors and radio circuits, it's important to take your time and not get discouraged. These are more advanced concepts and it's okay if it takes some time to fully understand them. Start by learning the basics of transistors and how they work, and then move on to more complex circuits.

In summary, it's best to learn about components and their basic functions first, and then delve into more complex concepts like circuit functions and applications. Take your time and don't be afraid to ask for help or seek out additional resources to aid in your learning. With patience and practice, you will gradually build your knowledge and understanding of electronics.