Abstract
A selection of circuit components shows the miniaturisation of electronics
Portable
Yes
Principles Illustrated
Over the past half century electronic components with equivalent functionality have shrunk by orders of magnitude. This has driven much of the technology that has changed the world during this time.
NCEA & Science Curriculum
Technology and physics
Instructions
Display the electronic components and have students look through the microscope at the older microchip on which a “city” of components and connections is visible. Explain that modern microchips have components too small to see clearly with a light microscope. Check for latest data, but at time of writing chips with billions of components were available.
Safety
Individual teachers are responsible for safety in their own classes. Even familiar demonstrations should be practised and safety-checked by individual teachers before they are used in a classroom.
Teaching Resources
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Credits
This teaching resource was developed with support from
The MacDiarmid Institute
Faculty of Science, Victoria University of Wellington
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences, Victoria University of Wellington