electrónico

Electrónico is an adjective used in Spanish to refer to matters related to electronics—the science, technology, and devices that use electrical circuits and semiconductor components. The corresponding noun for the field is electrónica; devices are often described as electrónicos.

From elektron (Greek) related to electric, with the suffix -ico, the term spans analog and digital circuits, semiconductors, and information processing.

Electronics developed from early studies of electricity in the 19th century, the invention of vacuum tubes in the early 20th century, the transistor in 1947, and the integrated circuit in 1958, enabling modern computing and communications. Since then, electronics has expanded into consumer, industrial, and automotive applications.

Main subfields include analog electronics, digital electronics, power electronics, radio frequency (RF) electronics, electronics in telecommunications, and optoelectronics. Applications include computers, smartphones, television and audio equipment, medical devices, automotive systems, and industrial controls.

Core concepts: current, voltage, resistance, impedance, and circuit analysis; semiconductors and devices such as diodes and transistors; circuit design with resistors, capacitors, inductors; printed circuit boards (PCBs); and signal processing. Materials like silicon and gallium arsenide are common, and modern electronics rely on integrated circuits and microprocessors.

Electronics impact daily life and industry, but raise concerns about energy use, electronic waste, and cyber-physical security. Standards and safety practices govern design, manufacturing, and disposal.