3.1 THE BASICS OF ELECTRONICS Electronics and electrotechnology Origins The words and derive from . Since the 18th century, scientists have studied electricity, discovering how it could be used for practical purposes and how it could be transformed into other forms of energy such as heat or light. This led to the development of electrical appliances and devices that could make everyday life easier, such as toasters, hair-dryers and heaters that work on the principle of the transformation of electrical energy into other forms of energy. electronics electrotechnology electricity 1 DO What are the electrical devices that you commonly use? 1 Definition Electronics is the that studies how to control the flow of electricity and transform it into signals that carry information . It components and circuits that use electricity at very low voltage. In comparison, , which is also known as , deals with: field 1 deals with electrotechnology electrotechnics the process of the production, transformation, transmission and use of electrical energy; the design and operation of electrical machines; electrical measurements. MORE An example is a microphone that contains electronic devices that transform sound into an electric impulse which is then amplified and made audible. 1 Applications of electronics The application of electronics occurs across almost all fields of everyday life: Everyday life : washing machines, microwave ovens, ; or domestic appliances household vacuum cleaners : video projectors, PCs, scanners and printers; office equipment : TVs, microphones, , portable MP3 players; audio and video loudspeakers : , pace-makers, various types of monitors and ; medical devices CT scanners meters : radars, body scanners, missile and rocket launching systems; security & military systems : and barcode scanners, , POS terminals and smartphones. other applications barcodes cash machines 1 Electronics is also very important in industry. Automated systems, for example, have replaced human workers in dangerous jobs or in tasks that require high precision; 3D systems have contributed to the evolution of graphics and 3D printers are causing a revolution in production processes. Industry DO Choose three devices you use almost every day and describe what you use them for. 2