“Electronics is the branch of physics that deals with the study and application of devices and circuits that use electric current, as well as their components.”
Electronics is the field of science and technology that deals with the study and application of devices, circuits, and systems that involve the flow and control of electrons. It covers a wide range of technologies used in communication, computing, energy conversion, and entertainment.
The major focus of electronics is on semiconductor devices, which are the fundamental building blocks of modern electronic devices like computers, mobile phones, and televisions.
Semiconductors are materials that have electrical conductivity between conductors (like metals) and insulators (like non-metals). Silicon is the most commonly used semiconductor material.
In semiconductors, the conduction of electricity is made possible by the movement of charge carriers (electrons and holes) within the material. The conductivity of semiconductors can be controlled by adding impurities in a process called doping.
There are two main types of semiconductors:
A diode is a two-terminal electronic component that allows current to flow in one direction only. It is made by joining P-type and N-type semiconductors together to form a P-N junction. When a voltage is applied across the diode, current can only flow if the diode is forward biased.
Applications of Diodes:
Transistors are three-terminal semiconductor devices that can amplify or switch electronic signals. They are the fundamental building blocks of modern electronic devices and circuits.
Transistors are classified into two main types:
An operational amplifier (op-amp) is a high-gain electronic voltage amplifier with a differential input and usually a single-ended output. It is commonly used in signal processing, filtering, and mathematical operations like addition, subtraction, integration, and differentiation.
Op-amps are used in:
A rectifier is an electronic circuit that converts AC to DC. It typically uses diodes to allow current to flow only in one direction. Rectifiers are essential for converting the AC power from the mains into usable DC power for electronic circuits.
Types of Rectifiers:
Electronics is a crucial field of study that impacts almost every aspect of modern life, from communication and computing to entertainment and medical technologies. By understanding the fundamentals of semiconductors, diodes, transistors, and other electronic components, we can better appreciate the underlying technology that drives our modern electronic devices. The evolution of electronics continues to bring new innovations and advancements, making this an exciting and dynamic field.