Q. Explain about integrated circuit?

An integrated circuit is created on a thin wafer of silicon that is splitted into a matrix of small areas (size of the order of a few m.m. squares). A matching circuit pattern is fabricated in a dust free environment on every of these areas and the wafer is converted in chips. (Refer figure above). A chip comprises numerous gates which are made using transistors. A chip also has some input and output connection points. A chip then is packaged independently in a housing to protect it. This housing provides a few pins for connecting this chip with other circuits or devices. E.g. If you see a microprocessor what you are touching and looking is its housing as well as huge number of pins.

Various circuits can be constructed on numerous wafers. All these packaged circuit chips then may be interconnected on a Printed-circuit board (e.g. a motherboard of computer) to generate different complex electronic circuits like in a computer.