GND and 0V Connection on components?

[Mint.]

What do I connect the ground or 0V connection to on anything electronics related, such as a 555 timer? I am slightly confused about this, if it is possible can you please explain.
Thanks,
Minty

[IanB]

ICs like the 555 timer need to be powered in order to operate. They therefore have two power supply pins, one positive, one negative. Oftentimes the negative pin is labeled 0 V or GND. You connect the positive power supply pin to the positive power supply rail in your circuit and you connect the negative power supply pin to the negative power supply rail in your circuit. If you are powering your circuit from a battery these connections will come from the two terminals of the battery. Check the datasheet or application notes about the need for decoupling or bypass capacitors across the power supply pins.

[johnboxall]

What do I connect the ground or 0V connection to on anything electronics related, such as a 555 timer? I am slightly confused about this, if it is possible can you please explain.
Thanks,
Minty

If you're interested in the 555 I wrote a small introduction about it here > http://wp.me/pQmjR-1l2

[aparlett]

I think they re the same, but I have come across the term virtual ground in my studies, which is point where the voltage is zero between two points.

[Neilm]

I think they re the same, but I have come across the term virtual ground in my studies, which is point where the voltage is zero between two points.

GND and 0V are often used interchangeably but there is a subtle difference. This difference is only applicable if you are doing things with safety / EMC and are concerned with exactly where current is flowing in a circuit - not really topics for beginners (or advanced engineers unless they are really unlucky).

The term "virtual earth" or "virtual ground" is "a node of the circuit that is maintained at a steady reference potential, without being connected directly to the reference potential". The term mostly found in op amps when one of the inputs (usually the +) is connected to 0V. Due to the way an op- amp works, the - terminal is held at the same potential - (0V) without a direct connection.

Neil