Definition of electronics

The word "electronics" has its roots in the late 19th century. It's a combination of two Greek words: "electron" (meaning amber, a natural electric conductor) and "-ics" (a suffix indicating a science or study). In 1839, Michael Faraday discovered that certain materials, like amber, could generate an electric charge when rubbed against other materials. This led to the term "electron" being used to describe the fundamental particle of electricity. In the early 20th century, the term "electronics" emerged to describe the study and application of electron-related technologies, such as vacuum tubes, transistors, and semiconductors. Today, electronics refers to the branch of science and engineering that deals with the design, development, and application of electronic devices and systems.