Question T6C05
From subelement T6 - T6C
What is component 4 in figure T-1?
Why is this correct?
Component 4 in figure T-1 is a battery, shown by the standard schematic symbol of parallel lines (one longer, one shorter). The longer line represents the positive terminal, the shorter line the negative terminal. A resistor would show a zigzag pattern, a transistor shows three connection points with specific geometric arrangements, and a ground symbol appears as horizontal lines decreasing in length or a triangle pointing downward.
Memory tip
Learn schematic symbols by their distinctive shapes: batteries always use parallel lines of different lengths, resistors use zigzag patterns, and transistors have three-terminal geometric configurations. This visual pattern recognition transfers across all circuit diagrams you'll encounter.
Learn more
Batteries in schematics use the parallel line symbol because early batteries were literally stacks of metal plates separated by electrolyte-soaked material. The longer line indicates positive potential, shorter line negative. In amateur radio circuits, batteries provide DC operating voltage for transceivers, amplifiers, and portable equipment. Understanding battery symbols helps you trace power distribution paths in equipment schematics and identify backup power connections in station diagrams.
Think about it
Why do you think schematic symbols were standardized to use simple geometric shapes rather than drawings that look like the actual components?