What is Electronics?

Electronics is the study of the flow of charge through various materials and devices such as semiconductors, resistors, inductors, capacitors, nano-structures and vacuum tubes. Although considered to be a theoretical branch of physics, the design and construction of electronic circuits to solve practical problems is an essential technique in the fields of electronic engineering and computer engineering.
The study of new semiconductor devices and surrounding technology is sometimes considered a branch of physics.

Overview of electronic systems and circuits.

Electronic systems are used to perform a wide variety of tasks. The main uses of electronic circuits are:
The controlling and processing of data.
The conversion to/from and distribution of electric power.
Both these applications involve the creation and/or detection of electromagnetic fields and electric currents. While electrical energy had been used for some time prior to the late 19th century to transmit data over telegraph and telephone lines, development in electronics grew exponentially after the advent of radio.
One way of looking at an electronic system is to divide it into 3 parts:
Inputs – Electronic or mechanical sensors (or transducers). These devices take signals/information from external sources in the physical world (such as antennas or technology networks) and convert those signals/information into current/voltage or digital (high/low) signals within the system.
Signal processors – These circuits serve to manipulate, interpret and transform inputted signals in order to make them useful for a desired application. Recently, complex signal processing has been accomplished with the use of Digital Signal Processors.
Outputs – Actuators or other devices (such as transducers) that transform current/voltage signals back into useful physical form (e.g., by accomplishing a physical task such as rotating an electric motor).

VOCABULARIO
1. flow = flujo ********************** 13. focus = enfocar
2. charge = carga ******************* 14. data = datos
3. Semiconductor= semiconductor*** 15. conversion= conversión
4. resistors = resistencia*************16. electromagnetic = electromagnético
5. inductors = inductor/bobina********17. field = campo
6. vacuum = vació ******************18. currents = corriente
7. tubes = tubos ********************19. prior = anterior
8. physics = física ******************20. inputs = energía absorbida
9. circuits = circuitos ***************21. outputs = energía de salida
10. devices = dispositivo/artefacto ***22. source = fuente
11. processors = prosesores *********23. actuator = actuador
12. network = red******************24. transducers = transductor

READING COMPREHENSION

Answer the questions based on the dialog above, and then TRANSLATE.

1. What is electronics? ______________________

2. Give 6 examples of the various materials:

____________________, _________________
____________________, _________________
____________________, _________________

3. What is electronics considered? _______________
______________________________________

4. In what fields are the electronic circuits an essential techniques?
_____________________________________

5. What branch studies new semiconductor devices and

surrounding technology?
_____________________________________

6. What two applications involve the creation or detection of

electromagnetic fields and electric currents?

___________________________________

7. After what event did “electronics” really begin to grow?

___________________________________

8. What are “Inputs”? ____________________

9. Where do the devices mentioned above take signals from? _____________

10. Can you name some examples of those sources? ____________________

11. And what are those sources converted into? _______________________

12. What do “Signal processors” serve for? ___________________________

13. What has been accomplished with the use of “Digital Signal Processors”?

__________________________________________________

14. What are “Outputs”? _______________________________

15. What kind of task can “outputs” accomplish? _______________________