Wikipedia is a great place to start learning about electronics and "electronic components". Also, 'How Stuff Works . com' has some very detailed descriptions. Go to either of those sites and search for "electronic components", "Current Flow", or any specific component (resistor, diode, etc) to begin learning.
There are also TONS of great books on basic electronics at any library, book store, amazon. The resources are everywhere if you know what to look for. I suggest a book called "Teach yourself electricity and electronics, Fourth Edition" by Stan Gibilisco. It teaches you everything you would learn from a basic to advanced college course, ranging from components, RF, photons, robotics, and much much more.
