Common Components of the Electronics You Use Every Day

Our modern lives are filled with all kinds of technology. You may not think about it usually, but it’s interesting to learn how complex technology is made up of different materials and components. These common materials, some of which have been around for a long time, make our electronics possible, and here’s how!

Plastic

Plastics are used in so many electronic devices we use every day, from headphones to charging cords to speakers. One of the reasons plastics are so vital to making our electronics work is that they act as a coating. Plastics do not conduct electricity, so they help insulate materials that are potentially volatile when electrified. Plastics also help keep us safe from getting burned from electronics when they heat up because they are cool to the touch. Plastics are also lightweight, so they are able to protect electronics without adding weight. Since plastics can be molded into an infinite number of shapes and can be dyed in numerous colors, they are a highly versatile material. Some companies are trying to recycle plastics used in electronic devices that have passed their useful lifespan. 

Rare Earth Metals

Many electronic devices are made with rare earth metals. These metals exist inside of the earth in small quantities but are vital to the production of many electronic components. Rare earth metals are magnetized, meaning they conduct electricity and are also heat resistant to high temperatures. Magnets are used in anything with a power supply in consumer and industrial applications. Rare earth metals are used in LEDs, cell phone batteries, electronic screen illumination, and fiber optics. The demand for these metals has dramatically increased because of the explosive growth of cell phones and other portable electronic devices over the past 30 years.

Silicon

Silicon is a natural chemical element found on earth and in the ocean. Silicon is critical as a semiconductor and is used to make transistors that amplify electrical waves. This makes silicon important in the production of everything from car radios to cell phones. It is also used to make computer chips that go in a lot of electronic devices and modern cars too. To become effective transistors, silicon parts often need to be mixed with small amounts of other elements like boron.

Our electronics are a combination of lots of different common materials. Some are found in nature, and others are produced. But all are critical components in making electronics function properly!

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