OVERVIEW

Before undertaking a systematic study of electrical engineering principles, we review the basic concepts and laws underlying this discipline: charge, electric field, voltage, current, energy, and power, as well as electrical signal, circuit and circuit element, circuit laws, and element laws.

Though most of these topics are usually covered in prerequisite courses such as sophomore physics, we are devoting an entire chapter to their review because they are critical for developing physical insight into the operation of the circuits we are about to study. Depending on student background and curricular emphasis, parts of this chapter may be covered as reading assignments.

This chapter also introduces a consistent system of units and notation, and familiarizes the student with the style and approach that will be pursued in the remainder of the book. Whenever possible, analogies are drawn to nonelectrical physical systems (such as mechanical and hydraulic systems). Concepts are illustrated by means of practical examples, followed by exercises that you are urged to solve before proceeding.

As you study a worked example, be observant of how the problem is approached, how the framework for its solution is laid out, and how the results are interpreted. You are interested in reaching an answer, but also in developing a method and a style of doing things. This is an important asset that will accompany you throughout your career.

An integral part of this style is always questioning whether your results are correct, or...