Fundamental Electronics: The Most Usual Parts
Primarily, you'll need these items:

Resistors \sCapacitors
LEDs
Transistors \sInductors
Circuits that are integrated together
A Resistor With A Through-Hole
Check out the library of schematic symbols in search of the resistor icon.

A resistor was something I initially struggled to wrap my head around.

Nothing seemed to happen when I did that! It sat there, using up energy. But as time went on, I realized the resistor's value.

You can find resistors in just about any electronic component. And their very name implies that they act as an obstacle to the flow of water.

But you are probably wondering: What do I use it for?

To regulate the circuit's potential and current, you can use a resistor.

An LED, battery, and resistor connected in series, representing a very basic electronic circuit.

How?

Making use of Ohm's law.

So, you have a 9V battery and you want to power an LED (LED).

Connecting the battery terminals directly to the LED will result in extremely high current flow through the LED.

Greater than the light emitting diode's capabilities. Thus, the LED will quickly overheat and fail.

But by connecting a resistor in series with the LED, the amount of current flowing through the LED can be adjusted.

Specifically, this component is known as a current-limiting resistor.

Resistors that can be changed in value can also be purchased. A potentiometer, so named for its characteristic three prongs.

A Capacitor with an Electrolytic Layer
Examine the catalog of schematic symbols until you locate the capacitor icon.

A capacitor can be compared to a battery with a very small storage capacity.

Like a battery, it can be charged and drained.

In electronic circuits, a capacitor is frequently used to create a delay.

For illustration, a light could flash.

Most commonly, it is employed to quiet a circuit's power supply or to increase the reliability of a circuit's voltage source.

Here's an article with more information about capacitors: What is the purpose of a capacitor, exactly?

Various kinds of capacitors are available. We typically classify capacitors as either polarized or non-polarized.

Stacks of LEDs, or light-emitting diodes
In the list of all possible symbols for use in a schematic, you will find the LED symbol.

An LED, or Light Emitting Diode, is an electronic component used to produce visible light.

To provide a visual representation of the circuit's operation, we employ light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Such as in order to prove the circuit is live. However, they can also be used to construct exciting circuits for light shows.

These parts and pieces are ubiquitous:

Wherever you might be: on your desktop, in your pocket, in your camera, in your car +++

And you can find many different types of LEDs.

As a beginner, you may want to start with the simple blinking light circuit.

Transistor
Consider a circuit with just two transistors.
Search for the transistor icon in the catalog of schematic symbols.

This is the most complicated of the fundamental electronic building blocks.

Relax; it's not as challenging as it sounds.

The transistor can be understood in the most basic terms as a switch that is activated by an electric current.

To activate, connect a voltage source of about 0.7 volts to the base and emitter.

Be aware that this only applies to NPN transistors. There are additional classifications to consider, but not right now.

However, by adjusting the current flowing through its base, it can take on a third, "a bit on," state in addition to the usual ON and OFF.

Depending on the transistor, a small current at the base can result in a much larger current at the Collector and Emitter. This effect can be used to create amplifiers.

The Function of a Transistor Exposed

I have previously filmed a video explaining the operation of transistors.

Inductor
A do-it-yourself inductor
Examine the catalog of schematic symbols until you locate the inductor icon.

There's something off about inductors.

It's just a coil of wire, and you can make one by wrapping some wire around your fingers several times.

They are often coiled around a solid metal center.

They are commonly used in the production of radio oscillators, improved power supplies, and various types of filters.

Actually, I only occasionally needed one, but in my article "What is an inductor? Explanations of its operation are animated for your viewing pleasure.

The Concept of the Integrated Circuit
Integrated circuits are one of the most fundamental types of electronic components.
Learn where to locate the IC symbol in the catalog of schematic symbols.

Several different types of elementary electronics are combined into one compact package called an integrated circuit (IC).

There's no magic or secret involved.

A computer chip is nothing more than a miniature electronic circuit.

It might be an amplification device, a microprocessor, a serial-to-USB adapter, etc. Anything is possible!

Read the datasheet for an integrated circuit to learn its functions.