solar cell: A semiconductor that generates a current when exposed to light.solder sucker: A tool used to remove excess solder. The sucker uses a spring-
loaded vacuum.solder wick: Also called solder braid.A device that you use to remove diffi-
cult-to-reach solder. The solder wick is a copper braid that absorbs solder
more easily than the tin plating on most components and printed circuit
boards.soldered breadboard: A breadboard on which you solder components. See
alsobreadboard.soldering: The method that uses small globs of molten metal — solder— to
hold components together.soldering iron: Seesoldering pencil.soldering pencil: A wand-like tool used to apply solder.solderless breadboard: Seebreadboard.solid wire: A single-strand wire. See alsostranded wire.SPDT: Seesingle-pole, double-throw switch.spike:Seevoltage spike.square wave: An signal that switches from a high voltage to a low voltage,
back to the high voltage, and then repeats this cycle with a square-shaped
waveform until it’s shut off.static electricity:A form of current that remains within an insulating body after
you remove the power source. Lightning is an example of static electricity.stranded wire: Two or three small bundles of very fine wires wrapped within
insulation. See also solid wire.stray capacitance: What happens when electric fields occur between wires or
leads in a circuit because they are placed too close together. In this condi-
tion, energy is stored unintentionally.tantalum capacitor:A type of capacitor used when the circuit can’t accom-
modate a large range of capacitance value variation. See alsocapacitor.388 Electronics Projects For Dummies
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