EE 101 - develop an intuitive approach

[abraxalito]

Article on EDN (3rd in a series) by the author of the book 'Electrical Engineering 101', Darren Ashby :

Three things they should have taught in Engineering 101, Part 3: Learn an intuitive approach | EDN

 

[Fast Eddie D]

They don't teach any of this stuff in engineering school. It takes experience to develop the intuitions alluded to in the article.

To me it's just common sense. Understanding things is a whole lot easier than memorising things for me. In fact, my memory is really poor. I can put my glasses down and not be able to find them 30 seconds later. I can meet you and forget your name 5 seconds later. Yet I can draw a circuit and calculate the values right out of my head. Is that nerdy?

 

[dchisholm]

I definitely agree with what is said there. I especially like the comments about the interaction between intuition, and an understanding of the fundamental concepts. I have met a few people who claim that they don't need to understand fundamentals because they have intuition. Their "intuition" is actually limited to a few examples, memorized in detail. They can't extend the examples, or even see deeply into them.

One point that wasn't stressed is a need to know when you have reached the limits of your intuition. Simple examples and analogies eventually break - and that's when you have to go back and re-study all that higher-level stuff in detail.

Dale

 

[DF96]

Yes, intuition is vital - provided it is informed by and constrained by facts.

Some DIYers think they can ignore facts; they haven't learnt anything like enough theory.

Some modern graduate engineers think they can ignore intuition; they haven't spent enough time in the lab playing with circuits or intelligently simulating them.