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