Dickon Ross & Cathleen Shamieh 
Electronics For Dummies, UK Edition 

Do you dream of wiring up a flashing LED, experimenting with
infrared detectors, or building a walking-talking robot from
scratch? Do you want to understand what capacitors, oscilloscopes
and transistors actually do? Then look no further!

Electronics For Dummies, UK Editioncovers everything from
understanding the technology behind day-to-day gadgets, to reading
a schematic, getting to grips with multimeters, and devising
projects that are both useful and fun. With UK-specific information
on where to purchase components for your workbench and the most
useful websites and resources, this essential guide will get you
up, running, and switched on in no time.

Electronics For Dummies, UK Edition
includes:

Part I: Understanding The Fundamentals of Electronics

* Chapter 1: What is Electronics and What Can It Do For You?

* Chapter 2: Moving Electrons to Make Something Happen

* Chapter 3: Meeting Up with Resistance

* Chapter 4: Getting a Charge Out of Capacitors

* Chapter 5: Curling Up With Coils and Crystals

* Chapter 6: The Wide World of Semiconductors

* Chapter 7: Packing Parts Together on Integrated Circuits

* Chapter 8: Rounding Out Your Parts List

Part II: Getting Your Hands Dirty

* Chapter 9: Setting Up Shop and Ensuring Your Safety

* Chapter 10: Reading Schematics

* Chapter 11: Constructing Circuits

* Chapter 12: Measuring and Analysing Circuits

Part III: Putting Theory Into Practice

* Chapter 13: Exploring Some Learning Circuits

* Chapter 14: Great Projects You Can Build in 30 Minutes or
Less

* Chapter 15: Cool Robot Projects to Amaze Your Friends and
Family

Part IV: The Part of Tens

* Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Terrific Tips to Help You Succeed

* Chapter 17: Ten Great Electronics Parts Sources

* Chapter 18: Ten Electronics Formulas You Should Know

Appendix: Internet Resources

* Getting Up to Speed with Tutorials and General Information

* Figuring Things Out with Calculators

* Surfing for Circuits

* Asking Questions in Discussion Forums

* Getting Things Surplus

Table of Content

Introduction 1

Part I: Understanding the Fundamentals of Electronics 7

Chapter 1: What Is Electronics and What Can It Do for You? 9

Chapter 2: Manipulating Electricity to Make Something Happen 19

Chapter 3: Meeting Up with Resistance 37

Chapter 4: Getting a Charge Out of Capacitors 63

Chapter 5: Curling Up with Coils and Crystals 89

Chapter 6: The Wide World of Semiconductors 109

Chapter 7: Cramming Components into Chips 139

Chapter 8: Rounding Out Your Parts List 163

Part II: Getting Your Hands Dirty 187

Chapter 9: Setting Up Shop and Staying Safe 189

Chapter 10: Sussing out Schematics 213

Chapter 11: Constructing Circuits 233

Chapter 12: Measuring and Analysing Circuits 255

Part III: Putting Theory into Practice 279

Chapter 13: Exploring Some Simple Circuits 281

Chapter 14: Great Projects You Can Build in 30 Minutes or Less 305

Part IV: The Part of Tens 329

Chapter 15: Ten Exciting Electronics Extras 331

Chapter 16: Ten Great Sources for Electronics Parts 341

Appendix: Internet Resources 345

Index 349

About the author

Dickon Ross is the Editor-in-Chief of Engineering & Technology Magazine, published by the IET. He is also the launch Editor of Flipside, a science, engineering and technology magazine aimed at teenagers. Cathleen Shamieh is a technology writer with extensive engineering and consulting experience. Gordon Mc Comb is an electronics author and consultant.