COURSE OUTLINE

COURSE NUMBER AND TITLE:     PHY 113 Electricity and Electronics

 

CATALOG DESCRIPTION:  This course serves as an introduction to the fundamental laws of electricity and electronics. Topics include basic electrical units, measuring voltage, current, resistance, electric power, Ohm's Law, series and parallel circuits, DC sources and measuring instruments, fundamentals of magnetism, AC fundamentals, the oscilloscope, inductance, capacitance, transformers, semiconductors, diodes and transistors.

Strong emphasis is placed on how these fundamentals are applied to fields such as mobile equipment, automotive technologies, and computer electronics . Using MultiSIM by Electronics Workbench Inc., students learn to design and simulate actual electronic circuits. In the lab component of the course, students build various electrical circuits and compare real measurements with those predicted by MultiSIM simulations. Several labs incorporate the use of PASCO Scientifics’ electronic lab components and sensors coupled to the PASCO 750 interface.

 

PREREQUISITE(S)  (IF ANY):   

PHY115 Technical Physics or permission of instructor and MAT112 Algebra and Trig I

COREQUISITE:  NONE                         

 

            Class Hours:     3

            Lab Hours:       2

            Credit Hours:    4

 

INSTRUCTOR:         Doyle V. Davis, Ph.D.

            Phone:              603   752-1113 x 1360

Office Hrs:        Tuesday and Thursday, 12:30 – 5:00 PM, Wednesday, 4:05 –5:15 PM

 

TEXTBOOK(S) REQUIRED:

            Author: Frank D. Petruzella      

            Title:     Essentials of Electronics      

            Edition: 2nd edition      

Publisher: Glenco – McGraw Hill

           

RECOMMENDED SUPPLEMENTARY READING:      None

 

GENERAL OBJECTIVES OF COURSE:

As a result of this course the student will be able to:

Describe the parts of an atom; define the differences between conductors, insulators, and semiconductors; list and define the basic electrical units of measure including voltage, current, and resistance; use powers of ten in calculations; recognize and/or draw symbols for basic electrical components; calculate V,I, and R values using Ohm's Law; use digital multimeters to measure V, I, and R; calculate power dissipations; use the resistor color code; use a scientific calculator to solve circuit problems.

Define key characteristics of series, parallel, and series-parallel circuits including total resistance, voltages, current, and power dissipations; use Kirchoff's laws to solve for unknown currents in circuit loops; explain results of shorts or opens in such circuits, troubleshoot problems in series, parallel, or series-parallel circuits; and explain how voltage and current dividers work

Explain how dc and ac voltages are produced; understand Faraday's Law of induction; determine direction of magnetic fields using "left" and "right" hand rules; calculate important values related to ac sine-wave signals; use an oscilloscope to make measurements of DC and AC signals

Define capacitance and inductance and calculate values of capacitance and inductance; calculate time constant values for RC and RL circuits; calculate values of capacitive and inductive reactance; analyze ac circuit parameters for capacitive and inductive circuits; calculate electrical quantities related to series and parallel resonance circuits including impedance.

Describe the basic characteristics of various semiconductor diodes; explain forward and reverse biasing of semiconductor devices; explain the operation of half-wave, full-wave, and bridge rectifier circuits, with and without filters; describe the difference between NPN and PNP transistors and how each is biased; explain the operation of CE, CB, and CC transistor amplifiers and perform transistor amplifier circuit calculations; and describe the operation of bipolar junction transistors

 

LEARNING ACTIVITIES:

Learning activities will include short quizzes, chapter tests, problem solving, use of spreadsheets to prepare charts and graphs of lab results, simulation and modeling of electronic circuits using MultiSIM by Electronics Workbench, Inc. and then actually building and testing such circuits with protoboards and PASCO's 750 interface and DataStudio software.

LIBRARY RESOURCES:

There are many library resources available, both in the library and online

(http:/www.berlin.nhctc.edu/services/lib/).  Please contact the library staff for more information.

 

GRADING POLICY:

 

Short Quizzes and Circuit Simulation Problems
Short ten minute quizzes will often be given at the beginning of a class. The purpose of each quiz is to determine if students understand a concept, problem solving technique, and/or definition which has been covered recently in the lectures. Your teacher will announce in advance the nature of each short quiz. Each week students will complete one or more circuit design/simulation problems using MultiSIM, the popular circuit design/simulation software developed by Electronics Workbench, Inc.

At the end of the course, the lowest of the short quizzes and/or circuit design problems is dropped before determining the average of the short quiz/circuit design scores. On some but not all of these short quizzes, students may use their books and notes. There is no make-up for any short quiz that is missed or circuit design problem that is not returned for grading on the date it is due.     The average of the short quizzes and circuit simulations will count 20% of the total grade.

Chapter Tests
Tests are given over each chapter covered in the textbook to assess the student's current understanding of the material. The major purpose of these tests is to discover areas of weakness where improvement is needed. Most but not all of these chapter tests consists of a "closed book" part and an "open-book" part. The closed book part consists generally of definitions, multiple choice, and fill-in-the-blank questions designed to test the conceptual understanding of electronic principles as well as definitions of important terms and principles. The "open book" part of each chapter test is designed to test the student's ability to solve electrical/electronic circuit problems. 
There is no make-up for any chapter test that is missed .  Students receive a zero on any missed test. There are rare exceptions to this rule but in most cases it is strictly enforced. At the end of the course, the lowest of the chapter tests is dropped before determining the average of the chapter test scores.  The average of the chapter tests will count 25% of the total grade.

 

Lab Activities
Students will receive a grade for each lab completed. The grade on each lab is determined by several factors including a Post-Lab test . The Post-Lab tests are designed to assess student understanding about the lab and may include definitions, fill-in the blank , multiple choice, true-false questions and solving circuit problems related to that lab. The Post-Lab tests are given at the beginning of next week’s lab activity.   Students will receive a zero on any lab activity that they miss. THERE ARE NO MAKE UP LABS.  At the end of the course, the lowest lab activity score will be dropped before averaging the other lab scores. The "lab average" will be calculated by computing the numerical average of the scores on all labs. This will count for 30% of the final grade.

Comprehensive Final Exam
A comprehensive examination will be given during the last full week of the course The exam will cover all topics which have appeared on previous quizzes and chapter tests plus any material upon which students have not been tested since the last set of chapter tests. This final exam counts as
25% of the final grade. Students may use their books and notes on parts but not all of the final exam. The examination also includes questions related to the lab activities covered in the course.

Calculating the final numerical grade average:

Example: Suppose the average of the short quizzes is 70. Take 70 and multiply by 0.20 since the short quizzes count 20% of the grade. Suppose the average of the chapter tests is 80. Take 80 and multiply by 0.25 since the chapter tests count 25% of the grade. Now let's say the student has a 90 as an average of the laboratory activities. Since the average of the lab activities represents 30% of the final grade, take 90 and multiply by 0.30. Finally, let's suppose the student makes an 80 on the final exam. Since this counts for 25% of the grade, we multiply the 80 x 0.25.

The total points which have earned is therefore:  70(0.20) + 80(0.25) + 90(0.30) + 80(0.25) = 81

The final numerical average is 81 which is a letter grade of B-. A summary of the final numerical average and corresponding letter grade appears in the table below.

Final Average

    

Grade

>93

   

A

90-92

   

A-

87-89

   

B+

83-86

   

B

80-82

   

B-

77-79

   

C+

73-76

   

C

70-72

   

C-

67-69

   

D+

63-66

   

D

60-62

   

D-

0 - 59

   

F

 

 

 

 

INSTRUCTOR'S POLICIES:

 

ACADEMIC HONESTY – Original thinking and intellectual honesty are central to a college education.  Research projects require the ongoing use of existing works, but students must conduct themselves with proper regard for the rights of others and of the college, in a context of mutual respect, integrity and reason.  Activities such as plagiarism and cheating are not acceptable and will not be condoned by the college.  Students involved in such activities are subject to serious disciplinary action.  The following are presented as examples of academic dishonesty:

 

1.         Misrepresenting academic work done by someone else as one’s own efforts, with or without permission of the person.

2.         Providing or using prohibited assistance in assignments and examinations.

3.         Unauthorized communication in any manner with other students during an examination; collaboration in the preparation of reports or take-home examinations; copying, giving aid or failing to follow the faculty member’s instructions.

4.         Tampering with or falsifying official college records.

5.         Infringing upon the right of other students to fair and equal access to college library materials and comparable academic resources.

6.         Falsification of data collected for and presented as part of course requirements.

7.         Presenting as one’s own ideas, another person’s work or words without proper acknowledgement.

 

There may be other instances of academic dishonesty, which will be identified by a faculty member.

 

REQUIRED TOOLS OR EQUIPMENT:

   

Students are strongly advised  to purchase a digital multimeter capable of measuring at least voltage, current, and resistance.  The ability to check diodes and/or capacitance would also be useful but not absolutely necessary.

 

A scientific calculator including the trigonometric, exponential, and logarithmic functions is required.  A  graphic calculator such as the TI-83, 89, etc. is highly recommended but not required .  The course is computationally intensive and includes the use of spreadsheets in the analysis of data.

 

SPECIFIC DIRECTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS:

 

NO FOOD OR BEVERAGES ARE PERMITTED IN THE CLASS !
This room contains computers and electronics equipment which can be seriously damaged if exposed to liquids and food particles. There is also the potential risk of fire and/or electrocution if such equipment is accidentally short-circuited by spilled beverages and foods.

MAKING UP MISSED WORK.
There is no makeup for chapter tests or activities not returned on time for grading unless there are extreme circumstances which prevented your attendance. At the end of the term, the lowest score in each category will be dropped before the final average is calculated. See Assessment Process and Grading Policy above. Your instructor in this course is under no obligation to provide makeup of lectures, hands-on activities, tests or other information missed due to an unexcused absence.
 

CLASS ATTENDANCE POLICY:

While class attendance is not required, you are strongly urged to attend classes.  With few exceptions there is no make up for any activity including laboratory assignments, short quizzes, and chapter tests.

 

Sending E-Mail to your teacher 

You can reach your instructor at ddavis@nhctc.edu.

If you have a documented disability that may affect your performance in this course, please advise the instructor immediately so appropriate accommodations may be put in place.  Accommodations may be arranged through the Disability Services Coordinator in room #104.  Accommodations and assistive technology are available to students at no additional cost, and should be accessed at the beginning of each semester.

 

THE LAST DAY TO DROP THIS COURSE IS MARCH 28, 2007

 


Course Time Table - Spring Semester 2007

WEEK

READING ASSIGNMENTS AND TOPICS COVERED THIS WEEK

TESTS

Jan. 16-19

Chapter 1 – “Safety   (1-16) 

Circuit Challenge (16)

 

Chapter 2 – “Instruments, Tools, and Fasteners(17-29)
Circuit Challenge (29)

Both circuit simulations are due Jan. 24 at the start of class. 

No test or quiz this week.

 

Jan. 22-26

Chapter 3 – Conductors, Semiconductors, and Insulators (30-38)
Circuit Challenge (37) Designing a Continuity Tester

 
Chapter 4 – Sources and Characteristics of Electricity (39-50)
Circuit Challenge (50) Measuring AC and DC voltages using a scope

Both circuit simulations are due Jan. 31 at the beginning of class

Jan. 22: SQ  related formulas (15).

 Jan. 24: SQ  metric prefixes

Jan.29-Feb. 2

 Chapter 5 – Basic Electrical Units  (51-61)
Circuit Challenge (61) A circuit with a switch, fuse, and lamp.  

This circuit simulation is Feb. 7  at the start of class.

 

 Skip Chapter 6 on Electric Connections . This is an interesting chapter for you to know but we will not have time to cover this material.

Jan 29 : SQ  terms in Chap.3  


Jan 31 : SQ  terms in Chap.4 



Feb.
5-9

 Chapter 7- Simple Series and Parallel Circuits  (75-90)

Circuit Challenge (90) A Lamp Circuit with a Truth Table

 

Chapter 8- Measuring Voltage, Current, and Resistance (91-111)

Circuit Challenge (111) Using a multimeter to measure current, resistance, and voltage

Both circuit simulations are due Feb. 14 at the start of class. 

Feb. 5 : Tests  Chapters 1 -4

 

Feb. 7 : SQ  review questions and problems in Chap.5


Feb. 12-16

Chapter 9- Circuit Conductors and Wire Sizes (Voltage Drops and Power Loss)  (112-122)

Circuit Challenge  (122)   Simple Automotive Circuit

 

Chapter 10- Resistors (123-136)

Circuit Challenge (136) Using a multimeter to measure current, resistance, and voltage

Both circuit simulations are due Feb. 21 at the start of class. 

Feb. 12 : SQ series and parallel circuits

 

Feb. 14 : SQ problem 1 (111)

 

Feb. 19-23

Chapter 11-  Ohm’s Law  (137-148)

Circuit Challenge (148)   Verifying Ohm’s Law

 

This circuit simulation is due Feb. 28 at the start of class. 

Feb. 19 : No Class

Feb. 21 : SQ  (121)

and (135-136)

 

 

Feb.26
Mar.2

Chapter 12- Solving the Series Circuit  (149-161)

Voltage drop, polarity, common ground, open and short circuits, series aiding sources, series opposing sources

Circuit Challenge (161) Properties of a Series Circuit

 

Chapter 13- Solving the Parallel Circuit (162-171)

Branches, open and short circuits, calculating net resistance

Circuit Challenge (171) Properties of a Parallel Circuit

These circuit simulations are due March 7 at the start of class.

Feb. 26: Tests Chapters 5-8

 

Feb.28 : SQ problems(146-147)

 

 

 

 

Mar.
5-9

Chapter 14- Solving the Series -Parallel Circuit (172-186)

Kirchoff’s Voltage and Current Laws, Equivalent Resistance, open and short circuits

 

Circuit Challenge (186) Properties of a Series/Parallel Circuit
This circuit simulation is due March 21 at the start of class. 

Mar. 5 : SQ problems(159-160)

 

Mar. 7 : SQ problems(169-170)

 

 

Mar. 12-16

Spring Break-

Study for tests over Chapters 9 – 12 on  Wed, Mar. 21

 

Mar.
19-23

Chapter 15- Magnetism (187-196)

Law of magnetic poles, magnetic field, magnetic flux, magnetic lines of force, electron theory of magnetism, retentivity, magnetic saturation

 

Chapter 16- Electromagnetism (197-208)

Left hand conductor and coil rules, permeability, magnetomotive force, ampere turns, reluctance, solenoids, transformers, electromagnets

Mar. 19 : SQ problems(184-185)

 

 

Mar. 21: Tests Chapters 9-12

Mar.26-30

Chapter 21 – Direct and Alternating Current (259-272)

Left hand conductor and coil rules, permeability, magnetomotive force, ampere turns, reluctance, solenoids, transformers, electromagnets

Circuit Challenge (272)  Function Generator

Mar. 26 : SQ p.196

 

 

 

Mar. 28 : SQ p.208 

Apr.
2-6

 Chapter 27 – Motors (367-383)

Voltage drop, polarity, common ground, open and short circuits, series aiding sources, series opposing sources

  

Apr. 2 : SQ 271

 

Apr. 4 : SQ 271

Apr.
9-13

Chapter 30 – Inductance and Capacitance   (Part 1) (421-442)

Inductor, inductance (L), self-inductance, mutual inductance, Henry (H), Lenz’s Law, inductive reactance

Apr. 9 : SQ 382

 

Apr. 11: Tests Chapters 13-16

Apr.
16-20

Chapter 30 – Inductance and Capacitance   (Part 2) (421-442)

capacitance(C), farad(F), dielectric, RC time constant, capacitive reactance

Circuit Challenge – page 442 Properties of a Series Circuit


  

Apr. 19 No SQ

 

Apr. 21 SQ 441

Apr.
23-27

Chapter 35- Semiconductor Diodes (505-519)

N and P type semiconductors, PN-junction, operating  characteristics, testing diodes, applications, special purpose diodes

Circuit Challenge (519) Diode Protection Circuit due May 2 at the start of class.

Apr. 23  SQ 441

 

 

Apr. 25 SQ 518

Apr.
30-May 4

Chapter 37- Transistors (537-554)

Bipolar Junction transistors, FETs,  NPN, PNP, emitter, collector, base, biasing, DC alpha, DC beta, current gain, voltage gain, power gain, source, gate, drain, MOSFET, phototransistor

 

Circuit Challenge  (554) Properties of a NPN transistor due May 7 at the start of the closed book section of the final exam.

Apr 30  SQ 518

May 2: Tests Chapters 21,27,30

May
7-11

Final Exam Week

May 7 – comprehensive closed book final exam over all chapters including Chapters 35 and 37.

 

May 9 – open book problem solving  final exam over all chapters including Chapters 35 and 37.

May 7 – Closed Book section of final exam

 

May 9 – Open Book section of final exam 

Note: No classes on days shown below because of holidays, faculty meetings, or spring break.
Feb. 19 (President's Day), Mar. 12-16 (Spring Break)

 

     THE LAST DAY TO DROP THIS COURSE IS MARCH 28, 2007


Lab Activities - Spring Semester 2006

WEEK

LAB ACTIVITIES FOR THIS WEEK

Jan. 16-19

Learning to Use MultiSIM – students learn to build  simple circuits using the popular electronic circuit design software known as “MultiSIM”.  They build  simple series and parallel circuits and explore the properties of each circuit.

Jan. 22-26

Learning to Use a Digital Multimeter to Measure Voltage, Resistance, and Current - students learn to use a digital multimeter.  They learn the color code for resistors.  They learn to measure the voltage drop across a set of resistors and also how to use the digital meter as current meter.

Jan.29-Feb. 2

Ohm’s Law – Using a variable power supply, students study the relationship between current, voltage , and resistance for good conductors of electricity.  Using precision resistors, students study how the current through a resistor depends on the resistance and the applied voltage.  They learn to calculate the power dissipated in the resistor.

Feb.
5-9

Properties of Series and Parallel Circuits – Students build a series circuit of several lamps and measure current, voltage drops across the lamps  and resistance measurements.  They then build a parallel circuit using the same lamps and compare the results for total resistance, current, and voltage drops across the lamps . They learn to calculate the total resistance of a series and parallel circuits.

Feb. 12-16

Kirchoff’s Voltage and Current Rules – Students learn to important rules to use when analyzing circuits.  They build a complex series/parallel circuit and verify Kirchoff’s rules for this circuit.

Feb. 19-23

Rheostats and Potentiometers – Students learn the difference between a rheostat and a potentiometer.  They build a circuit using a rheostat and a potentiometer.  Using MultiSIM, they design a circuit that contains a potentiometer.

Feb.26
Mar.2

Diodes – Students study the electrical properties of various types of diodes including LEDs. ( Light emitting diodes and Zener diodes.)

Mar.
5-9

Capacitors in Series and Parallel – Students study properties of capacitors in series and parallel and learn how to calculate the total capacitance

Mar. 12-16

Spring Break

Mar.
19-23

Magnetism and Faraday’s Law of Induction– Students measure the magnetic field produced by current flowing in a closed loop of wire.  They measure the magnetic field of a solenoid and observe how the relative motion between a magnetic field and a coil of wire can produce a current in the coil.

Mar.26-30

Alternating Current Lab -  Using PASCO’s 750 interface, students generate various alternating current wave forms and learn to measure alternating current through a resistor.  They study the phase relationship between voltage and current when only pure resistance is present in the circuit.  They also learn how to use an oscilloscope to make voltage and frequency measurements.

Apr.
2-6

Transformers – Students study the properties of a simple transformer.  They use the transformer equation (N1/N2 = V1/V2) to calculate the induced voltage on the secondary side of the transformer.  They compare their calculations with measurements made using voltage sensors attached to the 750 interface.

Apr.
9-13

Capacitive  and Inductive Reactance – Students study the effect of an applied AC voltage to a circuit containing a resistor and a capacitor.  They then look at a circuit containing a resistor and an inductor.  Using the display features of PASCO’s DataStudio , they study the phase relationship between voltage and current for both types of circuits.

Apr.
16-20

Power Supplies – Students build a simple power supply using a single diode (half-wave rectification).  Then they build a more complex power supply using four diodes (full-wave rectification) and explore the effect of adding capacitance to the circuit to reduce the ripple of the supply’s output voltage

Apr.
23-27

Transistor Lab – Students learn the basic properties of an NPN transistor and build a simple circuit that uses the transistor as a digital switch.

Apr.30
May 4

Integrated Circuit Lab – Students study two popular integrated circuits – the 741 operational amplifier and the 555 Timer.

May
7-11

Final Exam week – no labs

Note: No classes on days shown below because of holidays, faculty meetings, or spring break.
Feb. 19 (President's Day), Mar. 12-16 (Spring Break)

                               THE LAST DAY TO DROP THIS COURSE IS MARCH 28, 2007


New Hampshire Community Technical College-Berlin does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age or handicap in admission or access to, or treatment or employment in, its programs and activities.  Any persons having inquiries concerning New Hampshire Community Technical College's compliance with the regulations implementing Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, or Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, is directed to contact Carol Ribner, 2020 Riverside Drive, Berlin, NH 03570.  Carol Ribner has been designated by New Hampshire Community Technical College to coordinate the institution's efforts to comply with the regulations implementing Title VI, Title IX, and Section 504.  Any person may also contact the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education, or the Director, U.S. Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, Region 1, 140 Federal Street, Boston, MA  02110.