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 21

Chapter 3: Meeting Up with Resistance 39

Chapter 4: Getting a Charge Out of Capacitors 65

Chapter 5: Curling Up with Coils and Crystals 91

Chapter 6: The Wide World of Semiconductors 111

Chapter 7: Packing Parts Together on Integrated Circuits 143

Chapter 8: Rounding Out Your Parts List 169

Part II: Getting Your Hands Dirty 191

Chapter 9: Setting Up Shop and Ensuring Your Safety 193

Chapter 10: Reading Schematics219

Chapter 11: Constructing Circuits 239

Chapter 12: Measuring and Analyzing Circuits 259

Chapter 13: Getting Down with Logic Probes and Oscilloscopes 281

Part III: Putting Theory into Practice 301

Chapter 14: Exploring Some Learning Circuits 303

Chapter 15: Great Projects You Can Build in 30 Minutes or Less327

Part IV: The Part of Tens 351

Chapter 16: Ten (Or So) Terrific Tips to Help You Succeed 353

Chapter 17: Ten (Or So) Great Electronics Parts Sources 363

Appendix: Internet Resources 369

Glossary 375

Index 387