Electronic Analogy Quiz
November 1961 Popular Electronics

November 1961 Popular Electronics Table of Contents Wax nostalgic about and learn from the history of early electronics. See articles from Popular Electronics, published October 1954 - April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged.

It is common in electronics courses for an analogy to be drawn between electrical and mechanical phenomena. In fact, a lot of circuit analysis methods and equations apply directly to mechanics, and vice versa. An LC (inductor-capacitor) oscillating tank circuit is akin to a spring and dashpot. Resistance of a wire is likened to skin friction of water flowing through a hose. Who among us can forget those lessons? This Electronic Analogy Quiz from the November 1961 edition of Popular Electronics presents a challenge both because some not-so-familiar examples of analogies are offered, and because some are a real stretch. Therefore, don't feel too bad if you don't get a few. That's my way of saying that I didn't get all of them right ;-) Answers and explanations are at the bottom of the page.

Electronic Analogy Quiz

Electronic circuits perform functions similar to many mechanical devices and natural phenomena, and finding an analogy between them often leads to a better understanding of both. See if you can match the numbered electronic circuits on the left with the lettered sketches on the right.

See answers below.

Quizzes from vintage electronics magazines such as Popular Electronics, Electronics-World, QST, and Radio News were published over the years - some really simple and others not so simple. Robert P. Balin created most of the quizzes for Popular Electronics. This is a listing of all I have posted thus far.

Electronic Analogy Quiz Answers

            CIRCUIT                                       ANALOGY

1.  Low-pass filter                                   F. Tunnel
A low-pass filter "clips off" signals above a certain frequency; a tunnel "clips off" objects above a certain height.

2.  Zener diode regulator                        D. Centrifugal governor
A zener diode "resists" changes in voltage; a governor resists changes in speed.

3.  Push-pull circuit                                 H. Two-man saw
A signal is alternately "pushed" and "pulled" in a push-pull circuit; a two-man saw is alternately "pushed" and "pulled" by its operators.

4.  Wave trap                                          A. Drain trap
A wave trap removes unwanted signals; a drain trap "removes" unwanted odors.

5.  Smoothing filter                                               C. Coil spring suspension  
A filter "absorbs" signal "peaks" before they reach the associated circuits; a spring "absorbs" vibration "peaks" before they reach the associated chassis.

6.  Diode clipper                              E. Hedge clipper
A diode clipper "clips" off "peaks" in a signal; a hedge clipper" clips" of "peaks" in a hedge.

7.  High-pass filter                          G. Mountains
A high-pass filter obstructs the passage of signals below a certain frequency; a mountain obstructs the passage of objects below a certain height.

8.  A.C. rectifier                               B. Ratchet-and-pawl
An a.c. rectifier allows current to flow in one direction ; a ratchet-and-pawl allows a shaft to turn in one direction.

Posted September 20, 2012