Question

What are the passive components of a network?

Answer 1

Passive components in a network are electrical components that do not require any external power source to perform their function. They do not generate energy but rather dissipate, store, or control it. These components are fundamental in forming circuits and play crucial roles in defining their behavior. The key passive components in a network are as follows:

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### **1. Resistor (R):**
- **Function:** Opposes the flow of electric current, dissipating energy in the form of heat.
- **Unit of Measurement:** Ohm (Ω)
- **Applications:**
  - Voltage division
  - Limiting current in circuits
  - Providing biasing in electronic circuits

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### **2. Capacitor (C):**
- **Function:** Stores energy in the form of an electric field. It blocks direct current (DC) while allowing alternating current (AC) to pass.
- **Unit of Measurement:** Farad (F)
- **Applications:**
  - Filtering and coupling in circuits
  - Energy storage
  - Tuning in oscillators and resonant circuits

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### **3. Inductor (L):**
- **Function:** Stores energy in the form of a magnetic field. It opposes changes in the current passing through it.
- **Unit of Measurement:** Henry (H)
- **Applications:**
  - Filtering in power supplies
  - Inductive load in motors and transformers
  - Signal tuning in communication circuits

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### **4. Transformer:**
- **Function:** Transfers electrical energy between two or more circuits through electromagnetic induction. It is used to step up or step down voltage.
- **Unit of Measurement:** NA (Described by voltage ratios and power ratings)
- **Applications:**
  - Power distribution
  - Impedance matching
  - Isolation in circuits

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### **5. Diode (in a non-active role):**
- Although diodes are generally considered active components, they can act passively when not supplied with an external voltage.
- **Function:** Allows current to flow in one direction (rectification).
- **Applications:** Rectifier circuits (half-wave or full-wave), protection circuits.

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### Characteristics of Passive Components:
1. **Energy Consumption or Storage:** They either consume energy (like resistors) or store energy (like capacitors and inductors).
2. **Bidirectional Behavior:** Most passive components (like resistors and capacitors) are non-polarized, while some (like electrolytic capacitors) have polarity.
3. **Linear Behavior:** Generally, passive components are linear and obey Ohm's Law or similar principles over a certain range of operation.

These components are essential in the design and analysis of electrical networks and serve as the building blocks for creating more complex systems.