Electronic Analogy Quiz
November 1961 Popular Electronics

November 1961 Popular Electronics [Table of Contents] People old and young enjoy waxing nostalgic about and learning some of the history of early electronics. Popular Electronics was published from October 1954 through April 1985. All copyrights are hereby acknowledged. See all articles from Popular Electronics.

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.

Here are other Popular Electronics quizzes:

- Lamp Brightness Quiz, January 1969 - Graph Interpretation Quiz, April 1967 - Electronic Quizoo, October 1962 - Electronic Photo Album Quiz, Mar 1963 - Electronic Analogy Quiz, Nov 1961 - Electronic Alphabet Quiz, May 1963 - RC Circuit Quiz, Jun 1963 - Diode Quiz, Jul 1961 - Kool-Keeping Kwiz, Jun 1970 - Electronic Curves Quiz, Feb 1963 - Electronic Numbers Quiz, Dec 1962 - Energy Conversion Quiz, Apr 1963 - Coil Function Quiz, Jun 1962 - Electronics Analogy Quiz, Aug 1960 - Audio Quiz, April 1955 - Electronic Unit Quiz, May 1962 - Capacitor Circuit Quiz, Jun 1968 - Magnetic Phenomena Quiz, Feb 1962 - Electronics Geography Quiz, Apr 1970 - Electronic Menu Quiz,  Aug 1963 - Electronic Noise Quiz, Aug 1962 - Electronic Current Quiz, Oct 1963 - Electronic Inventors Quiz, Nov 1963 - Resistor Function Quiz, Jan 1962 - Electronic Measurement Quiz, Jan 1963 - Vacuum Tube Quiz, Feb 1961

 

 

 

 

 

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