Chapter 3

Electronics
Objectives
 To define the Electronics discipline
 To discuss the modal verbs
I. Reading and comprehension:
Electronics is a branch of engineering and physics. It deals with the emission,
behaviour, and effects of electrons for the generation, transmission, reception, and
storage of information. This information can be audio signals in a radio, images
(video signals) on a television screen, or numbers and other data in a computer.
Electronic systems are important in communication, entertainment, and control
systems.
Electronic circuits consist of interconnections of electronic components, at the heart
of which is semiconductor. Transistors, which are made of silicon or germanium, are
made from semiconductors. Commercial products range from mobile phones, DVD
recorders to high-performance supercomputers, ASIC, FPGA circuits and
sophisticated weapons systems. In industry, electronic devices have led to dramatic
improvements in productivity and quality. For example, CAD tools facilitate the
design of complex parts, such as aircraft wings, or intricate structures, such as ICs.
The development of microelectronics has had a major impact on the electronics
industry. Electronic components are expected to deliver ever higher performance,
while electronic circuits continue to benefit from miniaturization.
The electronics industry creates, designs, produces, and sells devices such as radios,
televisions, stereos, video games, computers, and components such as
th
semiconductors, transistors, and ICs. In the second half of the 20 century, this
industry had two major influences:
1. Firstly, it transformed our lives in factories, offices, and homes.
2. Secondly, it emerged as a key economic sector.
Specific advances include:
 the development of space technology and satellite communications.
 the revolution in the computer industry that led to the PC, tablets and mobile
phones.
 the introduction of computer-guided robots in factories.
  systems for storing and transmitting data electronically.
 radio systems to automobiles, ships, and other vehicles.
 navigation aids for aircraft, automatic pilots, altimeters, and radar for traffic
control.
Task one: Abbreviations and Terms Definition
a. Try to find what the following abbreviations stand for. Also, define the given full
terms:
Abbreviation and term Meaning
ASIC Application-specific integrated circuit
DVD Digital video disk
FPGA Field programmable gate array
IC Integrated circuit
PC Personal computer
CAD Computer-aided design
Miniaturization Tininess; smallness

b. Fill in the following table with the missing nouns, verbs and adjectives
Noun Verb Adjectives
activation Activate active
amplification Amplify amplified
emission Emit emitted
entertainment Entertain entertaining
extraction Extract extracted
generation Generate generative
integration Integrate Integrated/ integrative
reception Receive receptive
recovery Recover recovered
reliability Rely reliable
storage Store Stored
transmission Transmit Transmissible/Transmittable

Task 2: Contextual Reference

a. Refer to the text to answer the following questions.
1. What are the disciplines that Electronics involved in? Engineering and
Physics and engineerings
2. State the main functions that Electronics handles. Generation, transmission,
reception and storage of information.
3. What is the core component in electronic circuit? Semiconductor transistor
 4. Which instrument that has assisted in the design of complex systems and
devices? CAD
5. Explain the two impacts that the electronic industry has had on human life.
See the last paragraph
b. Choose the correct word in the following sentences.
1. Transistors/inductors are the key component in electronics.
2. They consist of three layers of silicon semiconductor/superconductor.
3. All electronic/electrical systems consist of input, a processor and output and
usually memory.
4. The input receives/resists and converts information while the output converts
and supplies electronically processed information.
5. The memory may not be present in simple systems. but its function is the
storage/transmission of information for the processor.
6. Continual developments in electronics give us increased reliability /recovery
in electronic devices.
7. Electronic devices have improved our lives by providing high quality
communication/combination and entertainment.
c. Choose one word from A and one word from B to complete the sentences below
A. Space, computer-guided, satellite, consumer, navigation, personal.
B. Aids, goods, computer, communications, robots, technology.
 ………….. ………………. has enabled people to survive in space
 Communications systems for aircraft and ships are dependent on ………..
…………...
 Most people today have their own ……………… …………………
 Industrial processes have been made more efficient through the use of
……………… …………..
 Ships and aircraft require ………………….. ……….. to find their ways.
 ………………. ……………… such as washing machines and dishwashers
contain electronic circuit.

II. Grammar:
a. Modals
Modal verbs are Auxiliary verbs that provide additional and specific meaning to
the main verb of the sentence.
They are helping verbs that are used along with main verbs to represent the
ability, possibility and probability of a subject to do an action and emphasise the
necessity of an action. Single and double concept modals are distinguished as
below.
The following rules apply for the modal verbs:
They do not accept conjugation
They do not need other auxiliary verbs
There is no “s” in singular
There is no “do / does” in the question
There is no “don’t / doesn’t” in the negative
They do not have infinitives or –ing forms
Modal verbs are followed by an infinitive without to
Modal verbs use other verbs to complete the tenses
Can is completed with be able to
Must is completed with have to
They can play the piano. They will be able to play the piano in the future
You must come early. You had to come early yesterday

Given below are a few examples of how modal verbs can be used to indicate the
possibility or probability of an action taking place.

 It might rain in the evening.

 I think they will reach the airport by 8 pm.
 Can you pick up my brother from school on your way home tomorrow?
 I could make some time to help you with your assignments.
 Your friends may come to visit you next week.
 It would not be possible for you to complete all of it by tomorrow evening.

Here are some examples of modal verbs being used to show the necessity and
obligation of the subject to perform a particular set of actions.

 All students of this institution ought to abide by the rules and instructions
provided.
 All employees should follow the dress code strictly.
 You must get yourself checked before the situation becomes worse.
 Your sister will have to apply for a leave request if she wants to take a
month’s leave.

Modal verbs can be used to make offers, suggestions and requests. Check out the
examples given below for know-how.

 It would be better if you did it the other way.

 I could help you if you want.
 Shall I bring you some water to drink?
 Could you please pass me the science record?
 Will you please take care of my son for an hour? I have some grocery
shopping to be done.
b. Exercises:
1) Fill in the blanks with the appropriate modal verb in the following sentences:
1. ________ you be able to bring your camera when you come?
2. Priya __________ apologise for the confusion that was caused yesterday because
of her carelessness.
3. You _______ finish this first and then start with the other one.
4. ________ I make some tea for you?
5. I ______ make sure to keep everything ready by the time they reach the railway
station.
6. You _______ make sure that the students are standing according to their roll
numbers.
7. ______ I come in?
8. She _______ find it interesting as she likes reading adventure stories.
9. Do you have any idea how much all of this _______ cost?
10. ______ you please help me find my keys?

Ans: 1. Would 2. should/ought to 3. could 4. Shall 5. will 6. must 7.

Can/Shall/May 8. Might. 9. would 10.Can/Would/Could/Will

2) Choose the best answer :

1. My son ___ be home by now. Where can he be?
a. Have to b. would c. should d. could
2. I think your thumb is broken. You ___ go to the emergency room.
a. Might b. could c. ought to d. can
3. If you are interested in losing weight, you ______ try this new diet.
a. Could b. mustn’t c. don’t have to d. had to
4. John’s fallen down the stairs! I ________ call an ambulance!
a. Will b. might c. may d. ought to
5. You _______ come too early. We won’t leave until 9 o’clock.
a. Has to b. must c. needn’t d. can’t

V. Further Reading
Electronic engineers are highly sought after, well rewarded and can be found in
practically every branch of industry and commerce. Here is an extract from a job
description for an electronic engineer: