Hi,
I'm new to electronics and am struggling to understand a circuit I've just made. I'm probably being really thick, so apologies if this seems really obvious or dumb.
I've attached a circuit diagram of the 555 timer circuit, which I've assembled. It works as it should, however I don't understand which path the electrons are taking, as there seems to be so many possible different paths.
My guess is that when I touch the fly leads together the electrons go across the fly leads, onto row H on the breadboard and then into the 'trigger' PIN on the 555 timer. They then come out of the output PIN on the 555 timer and onto the LED? But wouldn't that mean the LED would be the wrong way round? Or do they go through the LED, then onto the capacitor, and then once the fly leads are disconnected, then go back through the LED in the correct direction? If that's the case, however, wouldn't it mean the electrons would be going back to the 555 timer via the output pin? Would that be a problem?
As I say, I've got it working and have fitted different value resistors and capacitors to change the timed interval, I just need help understanding the different routes the electrons take so I can visualise the current flow better. I'm particularly interested in the capacitors role, as I was under the impression current doesn't actually flow through it, as the electrons can't pass between the two plates.
If anyone could give me any help it would be much appreciated.
I'm new to electronics and am struggling to understand a circuit I've just made. I'm probably being really thick, so apologies if this seems really obvious or dumb.
I've attached a circuit diagram of the 555 timer circuit, which I've assembled. It works as it should, however I don't understand which path the electrons are taking, as there seems to be so many possible different paths.
My guess is that when I touch the fly leads together the electrons go across the fly leads, onto row H on the breadboard and then into the 'trigger' PIN on the 555 timer. They then come out of the output PIN on the 555 timer and onto the LED? But wouldn't that mean the LED would be the wrong way round? Or do they go through the LED, then onto the capacitor, and then once the fly leads are disconnected, then go back through the LED in the correct direction? If that's the case, however, wouldn't it mean the electrons would be going back to the 555 timer via the output pin? Would that be a problem?
As I say, I've got it working and have fitted different value resistors and capacitors to change the timed interval, I just need help understanding the different routes the electrons take so I can visualise the current flow better. I'm particularly interested in the capacitors role, as I was under the impression current doesn't actually flow through it, as the electrons can't pass between the two plates.
If anyone could give me any help it would be much appreciated.