Q.1: What is the difference between Electrical & Electronics. Ans.

: Difference Between Electrical and Electronics: Often people use the terms electrical and electronics interchangeably when talking about electronics. However there is a subtle difference between the two and therefore the terms must be used correctly. Here we discuss the differences between the two terms and how each term should be used. Electric or electrical are the terms that can be used interchangeably because they relate to the concept of electricity. The word electric is used in the sense that it states the flow of electricity. Thus the term electric or electrical refers to the source and usage of power when it is conducted through a device. Whenever a source of power is referred to, it is termed as an electric source. On the other hand, electronics refer to the appliances and devices that are powered and run by electricity. The electronic devices are so made that they draw electricity from the source of power and manage the flow within them which enables them to operate. Thus all electronic devices make use of electric components that help them to conduct electricity and maintain its flow through the device. There are many electronic devices such as televisions, computers etc. The difference between electrical and electronic can also be gauged from the components of the two. Therefore electrical mainly refers to the development and delivery of the electricity or more precisely the electrical energy, to the devices that perform their said tasks under given conditions. These electrical components include wires, cables and resistors etc. These components do not require any power to make them work.

Fig. Electrical Components.

Fig. Electronics Components.

Electronic components on the other hand, relate to the more complex functions that are performed within a device. The devices are made up of micro electronic sub components or circuits. Such components are transistors, valves, integrated circuits etc. After all, Electrical is working with high voltages and conductors insulators though with power electronics. Electronics is all about semiconductors and working with low voltages.

Q.2: Compare Si & Ge. Ans.: Silicon & Germanium: Silicon and germanium, are both in the same group (group 14) of the periodic table. Hence, they have four electrons in the outer energy level. They occur in two oxidation states, +2 and +4. Silicon and germanium share similar physical and chemical characteristics, since both are metalloids. Silicon (Si): Silicon is the element with atomic number 14, and it is in the group 14 of the periodic table, just below carbon. It is shown by the symbol Si. Its electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p2.

Fig. Crystal structure of Silicon. Silicon can remove four electrons and form a +4 charged cation, or it can share these electrons to form four covalent bonds. Silicon is characterized as a metalloid because it has both metal and nonmetal properties. Melting point of silicon is 1414 oC, and the boiling point is 3265 oC. Crystal like silicon is very brittle. It exists very rarely as pure silicon in nature. There are lots of industrial uses of silicon. Silicon is a semiconductor, therefore, use in computers and electronic devices. Silicon compounds like silica or silicates are widely used in ceramic, glass and cement industries. Germanium (Ge): Germanium was found by Clemens Winkler in 1886. Germanium is shown by the symbol Ge, and its atomic number is 32. This is in the periodic table, below Si. Its electron configuration is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6 4s2 3d10 4p2.

Fig. Crystal structure of Germanium.

Germanium Atom

Ge is a metalloid having a crystal structure similar to that of diamond. It is hard, brittle and has a grey-white color. Melting point of Ge is around 937 oC, and the boiling point is 2830 oC. Ge is naturally found in the earth crust. Ge is the most common isotope, which has 36% abundance. Like Si, Ge is also used as a semiconductor material in transistors and other electronic devices.
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So we can conclude the difference between Si and Ge as follows Germanium has d electrons, but Si does not. Germanium atom has a larger radius than silicon. In a certain temperature, germanium will have more free electrons than silicon. Thus, the conductivity of germanium is higher. When considering semiconductors of two elements, silicon conductors are widely used because they can be used at higher temperatures than Ge conductors.