To describe the basic elements of an electrical circuit are resistors, capacitors, inductors, switches and sources.

Give a starting point for further investigation of the function and performance of these devices.

The elements of an electrical circuit can be divided mainly into : Passive components - are those that absorb energy. Active items - They are those that provide energy.

The resistor, inductor, capacitor and power are the basic elements and may exemplify the operation of any electronic device with different combinations of these elements.

It is a passive element. Resistor is called on the opposition to find the power to cover it. It is measured in ohms and is denoted by the Greekletter capital omega ( ) .

Matter has 4 states in relation to the flow of electrons. These are conductors, semiconductors , resistors and dielectrics.

They are defined by the degree of opposition to electrical current ( flow of electrons ) . And the energy dissipated irreversibly.
Figura de resistores

The formula that governs according to Ohm's law is:

To this charge storage property is called capacity or capacitance. In the International System of Units is measured in farads (F ) , where 1 farad capacity of a condenser in which , subject to armor a potential difference of 1 volt , they acquire an electric charge of 1 coulomb .

where : = dielectric constant . A = area of the plates. d = distance between plates .

The voltage across a capacitor can not change abruptly over time. Figure inductors

It is a passive component , due to the phenomenon of self-inductance , energy stored in a magnetic field . An inductor is usually composed of a coil of conducting material, typically copper wire. There are air -core inductors core or a ferrous material , to increase its inductance . Inductance : Measurement of the ability of a device to store energy in the form of a magnetic field.

It is an active circuit or electrical device that provides a potential difference or stream reliably to other circuits can operate. A possible classification of power sources indicated :

The ideal sources are elements used in circuit theory for analyzing and creating models to analyze the behavior of real circuits and electronic components . They can be independent , if their magnitudes ( voltage or current) are always constant , or dependent in the case of another dependent variable ( voltage or current) .

Ideal voltage source : Which generates a d. d . p . between their constant and independent of the load terminal that feeds . If the load resistance is infinite will say that the source is open circuit , and zero if it would be an absurd case, since by definition, an ideal voltage source can not be shorted. Ideal current source : One that provides a constant and independent of the load current feed . If the load resistance is zero say that the source is shorted , and if we would be absurd infinite case, since by definition a source of great strength can not be opencircuited .

Switch or switch :
It is a child that has two states . Open and closed . Ideally, a switch is a short circuit when closed and an open circuit when open . They are typically used to connect different branches or elements of an electrical circuit.

Bibliography : Robert L. Boylestad , Louis Nashelsky Basics of Electronics Fourth edition edit . Person Education. Donald L. Schilling, Charles Belove Electronic Circuits Third edition edit . Mc Graw Hill http://es.wikipedia.org