zachtheterrible said:
I’ve got some questions. Here they go:
1. I know that the leads of a capacitor are supposed to be as short as possible, but do they make a really huge difference? How much?
At low frequencies they make no difference, but they have more and more effect as the frequency gets higher - which is why VHF construction is fairly critical, and above that things get rapidly worse!.
2. I’m not sure how an oscillation circuit works. If you could explain this one that I have here, I would be very greatful.
All an oscillator requires is positive feedback, in this case it's given by the small capacitor from collector to emitter. The tuned circuit merely makes sure it oscillates at the frequency you wish.
This particular circuit works (as an oscillator) in common base, the base is grounded by a decoupling capacitor, the output is from the collector, and the input is to the emitter.
3. Using just a capacitor and an inductor, what is about the highest frequency that is possible?
It depends completely on construction techniques, but once you get to UHF frequencies inductors become simple straight pieces of wire, once you hit microwave frequencies you're into plumbing rather than wiring, but it's still a resonant circuit using capacitance and inductance.