Introductory Circuits Workbench
Learn DC and introductory AC circuit analysis through Ohm’s law, power, resistor networks, Kirchhoff’s laws, equivalent circuits, first-order transients, resonance, filters, and resistor color codes.
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How this tool works
Fifteen guided modules connect basic electrical quantities to complete DC and introductory AC circuit behavior.
Each module states the engineering question, shows the governing relationship, calculates live results, and provides a schematic or unit-labeled graph.
Inputs, restored state, list lengths, graph samples, and numerical ranges are bounded before calculations and drawing.
Core equations
V = IRP = VI = I²R = V²/RR_series = ΣR1/R_parallel = Σ(1/R)ΣI_node = 0ΣV_loop = 0V_C(t) = V_f + (V_0−V_f)e^(−t/RC)I_L(t) = I_f + (I_0−I_f)e^(−tR/L)Z = R + j(ωL−1/ωC)f_0 = 1/(2π√LC)Assumptions
- Wires and ideal sources have zero internal impedance unless an equivalent resistance is explicitly provided.
- Resistors are linear and temperature independent.
- RC and RL modules use ideal first-order lumped components.
- AC modules use sinusoidal steady-state RMS quantities and ideal components.
- The resistor color-code module uses the standard four-band interpretation.
Limitations
- This is an educational analysis tool, not a substitute for electrical safety procedures, component datasheets, SPICE simulation, laboratory measurement, or professional design review.
- The workbench does not model parasitics, tolerance distributions, temperature rise, saturation, dielectric breakdown, source current limits, transmission-line effects, semiconductor nonlinearities, or electromagnetic interference.
- High-voltage and high-current circuits can cause severe injury, fire, and equipment damage even when the arithmetic is correct.
References and verification
- Alexander and Sadiku, Fundamentals of Electric CircuitsIntroductory DC, transient, and sinusoidal circuit-analysis relationships.
- Nilsson and Riedel, Electric CircuitsKirchhoff laws, equivalent circuits, first-order response, and AC analysis.
- IEC 60062Reference convention for resistor color marking.