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CHAPTER
Background Physics
YOU MUST UNDERSTAND SOME PHYSICS PRINCIPLES TO GRASP THE FUNDAMENTALS OF ELECTRICITY and electronics. In science, we can talk about qualitative things or quantitative things, that is, “what” versus “how much.” For now, let’s focus on “what” and worry about “how much” later!
Atoms
All matter consists of countless tiny particles in constant motion. These particles have density far greater than anything we ever see. The matter we encounter in our everyday lives contains mostly space, and almost no “real stuff.” Matter seems continuous to us only because of the particles’ submicroscopic size and incredible speed. Each chemical element has its own unique type of particle called its atom.
Atoms of different elements always ...
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