Electronics in the home

Electronics began at the start of the twentieth century with the invention of the vacuum tube. The first devices for everyday use were radios, followed by televisions, record players, and tape recorders. These devices were large and used a lot of power.

The invention of the transistor in 1947 meant that much smaller, low-powered devices could be developed. A wide variety of electronic devices such as hi-fi units and portable radios became common in the home.

It was not until 1958 that microelectronics began with the development of ICs (integrated circuits) on silicon chips. This led to a great increase in the use of electronics in everyday items. The introduction of the microprocessor allowed electronics to be used for the control of many common processes.

Microprocessors are now used to control many household items such as automatic washing-machines, dishwashers, central heating systems, sewing machines, and food processors. Electronic timers are found in digital alarm clocks, water heaters, electric cookers, and microwave ovens.

Telephones use electronics to provide automatic dialling and answerphone facilities. New entertainment devices have been developed, such as video recorders and CD (compact disc) players.

In the future, electronics are likely to become even more common in the home as multimedia entertainment systems and computer-controlled robots are developed.

Task 1. Fill in the gaps in this table with the help of the text.

Date Invention Applications in the home

early 20th century

transistor

1958 automatic washing-machines

future

Task 2. Make a list of ways in which you think electronics may be used in the home in the future.

Learn the vocabulary.

Alternating – переменный Apply – применять, прилагать Application – применение As well as – так же как Circuit – схема, цепь Compare (to, with) – сравнивать Comparatively – сравнительно Conduct – проводить (ток) Conduction = conductivity – проводимость Conductor – проводник Semiconductor – полупроводник AC (а.с.) = alternating current – переменный ток DC (d.c.) = direct current – постоянный ток Define – определять Definition – определение Direct – прямой, направлять Direction – направление Directly – прямо Emit – испускать Emission – эмиссия Figure (Fig.) – рисунок Flow – поток, течь

Heat – тепло, нагревать Heater – нагреватель Оссur – происходить Оperate – работать Operator – оператор Operation – работа Science – наука Scientist – ученый Scientific – научный Source [so:s] – источник Switch n – выключатель Switch on – включать Switch off – выключать Thus – таким образом Toward(s) – по направлению к Unit – блок, элемент Produce – производить Product – продукт, изделие Production – производство Productivity – производительность Develop – разрабатывать, создавать Development – разработка, развитие Obtain – получать Repel – отталкивать Attract – притягивать

Translate the definitions.

Anode is an electrode for the collection of electrons.

Cathode (in electron tubes) is the electrode from which emission takes place.

Diode is a device that permits a current to flow through it in only one direction.

Rectifier is a device used for the process of rectification.

Read and translate the text.

Diodes

We can define electronics as the study of conduction of electricity in a vacuum, in gases and in semiconductors. The conduction of electricity in a vacuum, for example, occurs in vacuum tubes. Though in some vacuum tubes current flows from one element to the other through a gas.

Every vacuum tube diode has a cathode with a heater and a plate. When the circuit is completed the cathode emits electrons. Negative voltage on the cathode repels the electrons. Positive voltage on the plate attracts the electrons. The current flows through the tube. If a negative voltage is applied to the plate current does not flow. Thus, a diode permits current to flow in only one direction.

A semiconductor diode also conducts current in one direction, but the physical principles, which permit it to do this are different. Diodes are used as rectifiers of alternating voltages, as detectors of radio signals, as switching devices, etc.

Оборот There is/are

Если в русском языке предложение начинается с обстоятельства места (где?), то в английском языке оно начинается с оборота there is/are, а обстоятельство места находится в конце предложения.

Этот оборот обозначает местонахождение, наличие, существование. Он может переводиться словами «есть, существует, находится, имеется, стоит, лежит, висит, присутствует, состоится и т.п.» в зависимости от контекста, или может никак не переводиться. Например:

На заводе много рабочих. – There are many workers at the plant.

There is a good machine-tool in the work-shop. – В цехе есть хороший станок.

В Past Simple этот оборот имеет форму there was / were, a в Future Simple – there will be. Например:

There were two engineers from the works at the meeting yesterday. – Вчера на собрании присутствовали два инженера с завода.

There will be a scientific and technical conference in our university tomorrow.

Завтра в нашем университете состоится научно-техническая конференция.

Отрицательная форма образуется при помощи not:

There are not any students in the classroom. – В аудитории студентов нет.

Вопросительная форма образуется путем изменения порядка слов:

Are there any students in the classroom? – В аудитории есть студенты?

Grammar exercises: