IELTS Mini-Readings, 19 of 25: The Backbone of the Modern World

ICs.jpg

Electronics

Electronics is all about controlling electrical energy. Scientists and inventors have made many kinds of small objects – called components – which control this energy in different ways.

So, what are these components? They are single objects with two or more wires coming out from them. These wires all connect with other wires, and so all the parts fit together to make an electronic ‘circuit’. Yes, it can be very complicated, but these circuits can do amazing things. 

Putting together all these little components takes time. Another problem is that each component produces heat, and because everything is so close together, the circuits can become very hot, which is why, for example, larger computers have fans

But by the middle of last century, scientists began to realize that they could make another small object do the same thing as electronic circuits, all inside a single piece of this material. The material is called silicon, and the object was called a ‘chip’. The first chips could only replace a small number of electronic components – but it was still an amazing invention, since it allowed the circuits to become smaller. Many scientists became interested, and the chips become better and better, and smaller and smaller. Today, millions of electronic components can be inside just one single chip – now called an ‘integrated chip’ or IC. {See the picture above.]

ICs are very small, last a long time, can be produced quickly, and easily connected together. Even better, they cost less, and use less power. Thus, they have replaced the traditional electronic circuits almost completely, being in almost all electronic equipment today – indeed, they have completed changed the world we live in. Computersmobile phones, and other home machines are now part of modern society, and all because of integrated circuits.

Question Time

What is the name for the small electronic parts? ………………..…………..……………

When they are all connected together, what are they called? ……………….….….…..

What is one problem with these things (put together)? ………………………….……….

What was the biggest advantage of the first ‘chips’? ……………………….………..….

What other advantages do they have? ……………………………………………………

Word-Learning Time

Do you know the meaning of the underlined words?

Electrical

A component

A wire

A circuit

A fans

To be integrated

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