General exam: circuit components
Resistors, capacitors, inductors, semiconductors, ICs and displays. 23 questions, 10 at a time, starting with ones you haven't seen.
Rules to remember10 key circuit components rulesShow the rules
- A silicon junction diode starts conducting at about 0.7 volts forward bias. (p. 56)
- Low-voltage ceramic capacitors are popular mainly because they are cheap; they generally have loose tolerance and modest stability. (p. 56)
- The control grid sits between cathode and plate, and its voltage regulates how many electrons flow to the plate. (p. 56)
- MMIC stands for Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit, a single-chip amplifier or other circuit designed for microwave frequencies. (p. 57)
- CMOS logic draws very little current except while switching, so its main advantage over TTL is low power consumption. (p. 57)
- BNC connectors keep a good 50-ohm match up to about 4 GHz, making them suitable well into the UHF and low microwave range. (p. 58)
- An operational amplifier is an analog device that amplifies continuously varying voltages. (p. 58)
- The type N connector is a threaded, moisture-resistant RF connector that keeps a good match up to about 10 GHz. (p. 58)
- An LED gives off light when current flows through it in the forward direction, so it must be forward biased. (p. 58)
- RCA phono connectors are common on transceivers for audio, keying and other low-frequency or DC connections. (p. 59)
Taken from the explanations to checked practice questions; page numbers link to the official handbook.
Sample circuit components questions
1.What is meant by the term MMIC?
- AMode Modulated Integrated Circuit
- BMonolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
- CMetal Monolayer Integrated Circuit
- DMulti-Mode Integrated Circuit
Show the answer
✓ B. Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit
MMIC stands for Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit, a single-chip amplifier or other circuit designed for microwave frequencies.
2.What is an advantage of batteries with low internal resistance?
- ARapid recharge
- BHigh voltage
- CLong life
- DHigh discharge current
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✓ D. High discharge current
Low internal resistance means little voltage is lost inside the battery under load, so it can deliver a high discharge current.
3.How is an LED biased when emitting light?
- AReverse biased
- BAt the Zener voltage
- CIn the tunnel-effect region
- DForward biased
Show the answer
✓ D. Forward biased
An LED gives off light when current flows through it in the forward direction, so it must be forward biased.
4.What is the approximate forward threshold voltage of a germanium diode?
- A0.7 volts
- B0.3 volts
- C0.1 volt
- D1.0 volts
Show the answer
✓ B. 0.3 volts
A germanium diode begins conducting at roughly 0.3 volts forward bias, lower than a silicon diode.