Electronic devices

Electronic devices are small devices or a group of small devices designed to control the flow of electric current for their use in different applications. The purpose of electronic components includes motion control and information processing.

The electronic devices can also be grouped for use in different applications. Let's consider an example of integrated circuits. Integrated circuits comprise small circuits soldered on a single chip.

What is Electronics?

Electronics is the combination of various fields, such as engineering, physics, and technology that work together to design and implement various electronic devices intended for different uses.

Types of electronic devices

The electronic industry's growth is on a rising level due to the increasing demand for electronic equipment. Let's discuss the type of electronic devices.

The different types of electronic devices are listed below:

• Active
• Passive

Let's discuss the active and passive components in detail.

Active Components

The active components generally supply energy or produce power. It includes oscillators, Integrated circuits, and transistors. These components depend on the external power for their functioning.

Passive components

The passive components in electronics can only store, absorb, or dissipate the received energy in the electric or magnetic field. It includes resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

Let's discuss the differences between active and passive components for better understanding.

Active vs. Passive components

The differences are listed in the below table:

Electronics Engineering

Electronics engineering is a branch of electronics that deals with the designing and developing of electronics equipment, such as GPS (Global Positioning System), computer hardware, music systems, etc. It uses active and non-linear components to develop different devices. The components include transistors, diodes, Integrated circuits, etc.

Various subfields come under the electronics, such as embedded systems, robotics, digital electronics, and analog electronics. Other field includes telecommunications, signal processing, power electronics, etc.

Electronics vs. Electrical

Let's discuss the differences between electronics and electrical.

Mostly used electronic devices

The types of electronic devices in use are not limited. The number of available electronic devices used today is in large number. Let's discuss some of the most common electronic devices.

• Mobile phones
• Battery
• PCs
• Transformers
• Switches
• Motors
• Microcontroller
• Washing Machines
• Refrigerators
• Televisions
• Game Consoles

Let's understand the above devices with a short description.

Mobile phones

Mobile phones are the most common electronic device use today. It is also called a cell phone, handphone, etc. It is a small handheld device that can make audio calls and video calls anywhere over the network. The mobile phones offer other features, such as Internet access, text messages, GPS, photography, video games, etc.

Battery

A battery is a charging device used to power devices such as mobile phones, electric geysers, flashlights, electric vehicles, etc. The batteries come in different designs and shapes. The chemical composition inside a battery converts the chemical energy into electrical energy.

PCs

A personal computer is an electronic device that can be directly operated by an end-user. It does not offer any time-sharing ability. Hence, it can be operated by a single user at a time. Personal computers are intended for different purposes, such as engineering, marketing, laboratory, designing, etc.

Transformers

A transformer is a passive device that consists of two windings called primary and secondary. The transformer can step up (increasing the source voltage) or step down (decreasing the source voltage) the voltage. It comes in various designs and sizes. It ranges from the small transformers using is electronic equipment to large transformers used in the AC power distribution system.

Switches

The switch is used to switch the electric current passing through the circuit. The switches can be easily controlled by hand. It is generally made of plastic that is an insulator. Hence, it does not conduct any current. It is a type of binary device that can be either ON or OFF.

Motors

Motors are categorized as AC motors and DC motors. The AC motors operate through the flowing Alternating current (AC), while DC motors operate through Direct current (DC). The sources of DC are batteries, remote cells, etc. The sources of AC are generally high voltage applications, such as generators.

Microcontroller

A Microcontroller consists of the I/O peripheral, CPU, and memory. It is generally called a small computer, which is commonly used in automated control applications. Other microcontroller uses include embedded systems, toys, remote controls, personal computers, engine control systems, and medical devices.

Washing Machines

A washing machine is an automatic machine that is used to wash clothes. It is a type of home appliance that is often known as laundry machine. The user operating the machine needs to add detergent powder or liquid to the water. It has replaced the need to wash the clothes by hands.

Refrigerators

It is also a type of home appliance used to store food products to stay longer. The function of refrigerators is to transfer the heat to the external environment to make it cooler inside. The cold temperature inside a refrigerator prevents the food from spoilage by reducing the growth rate of bacteria.

Televisions

Television displays the moving images on the screen. The images can be two dimensional and three dimensional with color pixels.

Television is a medium of entertainment, education, food, news, and education. It also consists of built-in speakers. The television is generally used for watching movies and programs.

Game Consoles

Game consoles comprise of different video games. One or more than one person can play video games. It can be controlled with the help of a game controller attached to the game console.

Advantages of the development of electronic devices

Here, we will discuss the advantages that electronic industry has given to us, which are listed below:

• Modern Life
  The use of the electronic devices has improved the way we communicate, work, and play. The devices have improved the way of communication (using mobile phones), work (using personal computers), and play ( using game consoles).
• Saves time
  The development of devices, such as smart plug (Alexa), electric cooker, vacuum cleaners, etc., are the sources that save our time. For example, automatic gas stoves, washing machines, electric induction (useful when the gas stove is not available), etc.
• Increases productivity
  As a web designer, gamer, or any related profession, the use of big screen helps us to focus on more fine details. Other devices, such as food cutter, chopping, etc. help housemakers to do the work faster rather than doing manually.
• Enhanced learning
  Electronic devices, such as personal computers and mobile phones, help people gain information and knowledge through the internet. For example, the kindle e-reader helps us to access hundreds of books. There are also various online courses to enhance knowledge.

Disadvantages of the development of electronic devices

Here, we will discuss the impact of the development of devices on the people and environment, which are listed below:

• Addiction
  Game consoles and mobile phones have become an addiction for people. The large use of the electronic devices releases hormones in the body that adversely impact the brain. The addictions keep children away from the studies and extracurricular activities.
• Increased laziness
  The use of electronic devices has reduced labor. The use of washing machines, electric cleaners, etc., does not require any physical work. Due to this, people are becoming lazy and rely on electronic gadgets for their work. Lack of physical work also increases the risk of diseases.
• Health issues
  Dependency on electronic devices leads to various health issues. The study depicts that the increase in the screen-time among children and the young generation has increased the risk of myopia or far-sightedness.
  The blue light from the screen also impacts the sleeping hormones resulting in lack of sleep among most people.
• Exhaustion of rare natural elements
  The materials used for creating electronic devices are composed of different elements, metals, etc., such as indium and gallium. The elements present in the earth are limited. The rise of electronic devices usage is creating exhaustion of natural resources.
• Huge amount of e-waste
  E-waste is electronic waste, which is of no use. The materials or parts of the electronic devices that are of no use are considered e-waste. The burning of e-waste releases harmful gases in the atmosphere causing air pollution. Such type of waste seeps into the ground and affect the groundwater. It also harms the sea animals and land.
  The energy required to recycle electronic waste is more than the energy required for developing material.

Audience

Electronic devices are intended for use by anyone because these devices are used in daily life.

Problem

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