GLOSSARY

Devices that operate using electricity that passes through components such as microchips, transistors, etc. Radios and computers are examples of electronics.

A small thin slice of semiconducting material with electronic parts and circuits built in. It is an essential part of modern computers.

An electronic component composed of semiconducting material, commonly in use in computers, radios, televisions, etc. It controls the flow of electricity. It can open or close a circuit, or control the strength of an electrical signal.

A chemical element that has semiconducting properties. It is one of the most commonly used substances in modern computers and electronics. It is hard and brittle.

Please note that it is spelled siliCON, with no “E” at the end. It is NOT siliCONE which is a man-made, usually transparent, rubbery substance that is used for various things such as adhesives, sealants, cooking utensils, etc. These two words are often mixed up due to their similar spelling.

A type of material that acts like a conductor (passes along electricity) under certain conditions and an insulator (blocks electricity) under other conditions. Conditions such as temperature, voltage (electrical pressure), current (rate of electricity), and impurities in the semiconductor can affect its conductive properties. Semiconductors are an important part in modern computers and electronics.