Chapter 2, Problem 3RQ

Program Plan Intro

Electronic computation:

• The movement of electrons in an electronic computing device performs the same function as the movement of gears and wheels in a mechanical computing device.
• The computational functions performed within an electronic circuit can be determined by mathematical relationships among the components and electron flow.
• Electronic devices are faster because of high speed of moving electrons.
• Electronic computers make it faster to perform complex calculations.

Optical computation:

• In optical devices, a moving photon’s energy can perform computational work.
• A particle of light known as a photon moves at a high rate of speed.
• Optical discs are used to store large video files.
• Some input/output devices are based on optical technologies and devices.