Electronics is a branch of physics and engineering that involves controlling the flow of electric charges in certain devices for a useful purpose. Electronic components (parts) are used in a broad range of products, including computers, telephones, radios, television sets, DVD players, and medical instruments.
Electronics is part of the broad field of electricity. Electricity includes two important elements: (1) electric current and (2) electric voltage. Electric current is the flow of electric charges. Electric voltage is a type of "pressure" or force that causes the charges to move in the same direction. Familiar uses of electricity include the furnishing of energy in homes and businesses to provide light and heat, and to drive motors.
Electronics deals chiefly with the use of current and voltage to carry electric signals. An electric signal is an electric current or voltage modified in some way to represent information. A signal may represent sound, pictures, numbers, letters, computer instructions, or other information. Signals can also be used to count objects, to measure time or temperature, or to detect chemicals or radioactive materials.
Electronics depends on certain highly specialized components, such as transistors and integrated circuits, that serve as parts of almost all electronic equipment. The value of such devices lies in their ability to manipulate signals extremely fast. Many components can respond to signals billions of times per second.
The field of microelectronics is concerned with the design and production of miniature components, chiefly integrated circuits, and of electronic equipment that uses such components. Manufacturers can create millions of microscopic electronic components on a piece of material
