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Mathematics, Numbers, and Computers - What Is A Silicon Chip?

What is a silicon chip?

A silicon chip is a piece of almost pure silicon, usually less than one centimeter square and about half a millimeter thick. A silicon chip contains millions of transistors (devices that control the flow of electric current) and other tiny electronic circuit components, packed and interconnected in layers beneath the surface. There is a grid of thin metallic wires on the surface of the chip, which is used to make electrical connections to other devices. This tiny component is responsible for arithmetic, logic, and/or memory functions in a computer.

The silicon chip was developed independently by two engineers: Jack Kilby of Texas Instruments in 1958, and Robert Noyce (1927-1990) of Fairchild Semiconductor in 1959. In addition to being used in computers, silicon chips are used in calculators, microwave ovens, automobile radios and engine controllers, and video cassette recorders (VCRs).

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