Basic Electronics Part-3.
Dear friends, M.A. Mustafa here, those of you who have started doing electronics work by learning from a technician but lack the foundational knowledge of electronics, this article is for you. My small effort is to help you build a basic understanding of electronics so that you can become self-reliant in your work.
Moreover, diodes and transistors are the main components of any electronic device. ICs and silicon chips are built using these diodes and transistors. Therefore, to understand how diodes and transistors work, it is essential to first know about their building blocks: subatomic particles like electrons, protons, and neutrons.
What is an Atom?
When a molecule is broken down in any process, it breaks down into tiny particles called atoms. Simply put, the smallest particle of an element is called an atom. All substances around us are composed of countless atoms. The shape, color, taste, and smell of various substances depend on how the atoms of those substances are arranged.
Generally, atoms cannot exist independently. When an atom becomes independent in a process, it becomes a molecule of an elemental substance. This is because there is no fundamental characteristic difference between the molecules and atoms of an elemental substance.
Look carefully at the figure below; the entire picture is of an atom, including a silicon atom. The interior of this atom is neatly arranged with electrons, protons, and neutrons. A core at the center, called the Nucleus, contains protons and neutrons.
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An illustration of a silicon atom's structure. |
Description of the silicon atomic structure diagram:
- A - valence shell
- B - electrons
- C - nucleus
- D- neutrons
- E- protons
What is a Valence Shell?
A valence shell is the outermost electron shell of an atom. The electrons in this shell are called valence electrons. These valence electrons are the ones that participate in chemical bonding. The number of electrons in this outermost shell determines an atom's chemical properties and its tendency to react with other atoms.
Where is the Valence Shell Located in an Atom?
- The nucleus is the core, labeled as c, d, and e.
- The valence shell is the outermost circular path, labeled as a, which holds the valence electrons.
What is Electron?
The electron is a subatomic particle of an atom. Electrons are located outside the Nucleus and revolve around it in a circular path called the Valence Shell. They carry a negative charge. Electrons belong to the fermion and lepton families.
The physicist Sir Joseph John Thomson discovered the electron in 1897, proving that cathode rays are actually streams of negatively charged particles or electrons. The electron was later named by Sir George Johnstone Stoney. Since our topic is electronics, it is essential to remember that when electrons flow through a substance, that substance is considered to be conducting electricity.
What is the Nucleus?
The Nucleus is the dense, central part of an atom. It is composed of positively charged protons and electrically neutral neutrons.
What is a Neutron?
A neutron is an electrically neutral subatomic particle located in the Nucleus of an atom, alongside protons.
What is Proton?
A proton is a stable, positively charged subatomic particle located in the Nucleus of an atom.
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This diagram of an atom's structure identifies the symbols for its subatomic particles: e- for electrons, p+ for protons, and n° for neutrons. |
Structure of an Atom & Symbols of Electron, Proton, and Neutron
To easily remember the characteristics of electrons, protons, and neutrons, pay attention to the symbols below.
- e- stands for negatively charged electrons.
- p+ stands for positively charged protons.
- n° stands for electrically neutral neutrons.
I hope you now have a clear understanding of what an atom, electron, proton, and neutron are, and where they are located. If you have any trouble understanding, please reread the text and match it with the diagram.
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