Circuit Element DC Voltage Source (e.g., Cell, Battery) Provide steady electric energy Measure of Property Voltage AC Voltage Source Provide oscillating electric energy Voltage Resistor Resist or modulate current flow Resistance Light Bulb Resist or modulate current; convert electric (electrostatic) energy to thermal energy and electromagnetic energy Resistance Symbol Function/Characteristic/Property Picture Capacitor Store energy in electric field; store energy in electric field Capacitance Inductor Resist or modulate the change in current flow with time; store energy in magnetic field Inductance Switch Turn on or off the circuit; cut or connect the path of current Ideal wire Provide path of current Fuse Meter Ohmmeter Voltmeter Cuts the electrical connection when the current exceeds a certain value Symbol Quantity Resistance Connection Parallel to resistor(s) of interest. The circuit is detached from the battery or AC power source. Voltage Parallel to resistor(s) or voltage source of interest. Picture Ammeter Current Digital Multimeter Resistance, Voltage and Current In series with the resistors