Guy wrote:
Also try thinking of current as water (already easy) and that it has to flow from one point to another (stream or 'circuit'.) We already talk about current flow, so this helps a bit. A tube or transistor is a valve on a water pipe that allows the turn of a wrist (a small signal) to control a big flow of water (a lot of current flow.) Resistors are a narrowing of the stream (resisting the flow) that causes water to build up on one side, causing a larger amount of water on one side of the restriction than the other (voltage difference.) I'm not sure how to work capacitors and inductors into the water analogy, but we have a start.
I have seen a mechanical symbol for a capacitor, but I'm not sure it's 100 percent analogous. It's a basin with two pipes entering horizontally at the top. If water enters one pipe, the basin has to fill all the way up before any water will pass out the other pipe.
The inductor I think is exactly like it looks. The same amount of energy that goes into the coil comes out the other end, but there is always a quantity that remains inside the coil. That's it's "Inductance".
I also know current (amps) is the amount of water, voltage is the speed of the water, and Wattage is a measurement of energy or "work" accomplished. I can also be measured as heat.
Fooling around with formulas is a little more complicated for me. I know how to do basic algebra, but I need tangible examples of things before I really get them. That's why I have stuck mostly with speakers, because I can approach them as an artist, and hone them with a lot of trial and error.