4.1 Microchips, Miniaturization, & Mobility

•A transistor is a tiny electronic switch that can be turned “on” or “off” millions of times per second.

•Transistors form part of an integrated circuit: all the parts of an electronic circuit embedded on a single silicon chip.

•Integrated circuits are solid state (no moving parts).

•Silicon: A semiconductor made of clay and sand. 

•Semiconductor: A material whose electrical properties are intermediate between a good conductor and a nonconductor of electricity. 

             •Perfect underlayer for highly conductive complex circuits

               •Microchips (Microprocessors) are made from semiconductors.  

•Chip: A tiny piece of silicon that contain millions of microminiature integrated electronic circuits.

•Miniaturization

•Microchips

•Store and process data in electronic devices

•Microprocessors

•The miniaturized circuitry of an entire computer processor (“brain”) on a single chip

•Contains the central processing unit (CPU), which processes data into information

•The development of microchips and processors has enabled the development of small, mobile electronic devices.

•System Unit

•The case that contains the computer’s electronic components used to process data.

•PCs: Tower or desktop; monitor is separate.

•Laptops: Monitor is attached to the system unit, like a clamshell.

•Tablets: Usually includes a touch-screen interface.

•Smartphones: Handheld system units.