dobry_den said:Hi! I've chosen my coursework to be "The Physics of a Computer"... I've just started collecting study materials, so I'd be very grateful if you could recommend me any web pages or books concerning this topic... Thanks a lot in advance.
The physics behind a computer involves the principles of electricity, magnetism, and quantum mechanics. The flow of electricity through circuits and the use of magnetic fields in hard drives and speakers are essential to the functioning of a computer. Additionally, the behavior of subatomic particles and quantum effects play a role in the design of computer chips.
A computer uses energy in various forms, including electricity, light, and heat. The energy is typically converted into electrical signals that are then processed by the computer's components. The energy is also used to power the computer's cooling system to prevent overheating.
Semiconductors, typically made from silicon, are essential to the functioning of a computer. They are used to create transistors, which act as switches to control the flow of electricity. Transistors are then used to create logic gates, which are the building blocks of computer processors.
Quantum effects, such as superposition and entanglement, have a significant impact on the design of computer chips. These effects allow for the creation of quantum computers, which use quantum bits (qubits) instead of traditional bits. Qubits have the potential to perform certain calculations much faster than classical computers, making them suitable for solving certain types of problems.
Thermodynamics is the study of energy and its transformation. In the case of computers, thermodynamics is essential in understanding how energy is used and dissipated within the system. The second law of thermodynamics states that energy is always lost in the form of heat, which is why computers require cooling systems to prevent overheating.