The design and operation of electrical circuits and power systems. Fundamental electromagnetic laws belong in Physics.
Test your knowledge with these top questions!
Which USB charging connector fits into its port with either side facing up?
The USB-C port has contacts on both sides, so flipping the plug still connects the power wires correctly.
Which material forms the core of most long-distance optical fibers?
Extremely pure glass reduces the absorption and scattering that would weaken the signal over long distances.
Which energy source runs an induction cooktop?
An induction cooktop has no burner flame, though food and cooking oil can still produce smoke.
Why may one induction cooking zone lose power when a neighboring zone enters boost mode?
Boost sends extra power to one zone for a short time, which can help bring a pot of water to a boil.
Fiber-optic cables carry data using pulses of what?
Fiber networks often use infrared light, which human eyes cannot see.
Which component turns incoming light into an electrical signal in a typical fiber-optic receiver?
Light striking a photodiode frees electric charges, producing a current that follows the incoming signal.
Who discovered electromagnetic induction in 1831, a principle used in induction cooktops?
Faraday produced a brief current in one coil when he switched the current in a neighboring coil on or off.
On an induction cooktop, what does a bridge function link?
The linked zones can heat a long griddle that spans both cooking areas.
Which term describes the weakening of a light signal as it travels through an optical fiber?
Even clear glass absorbs or scatters some light, so long links need amplifiers or repeaters to restore signal strength.
For USB cable wires of the same metal, which combination creates the most resistance?
Cable resistance wastes energy as heat and causes a voltage drop, which can reduce charging speed.