Lic.

Rosario Laura Viscafe

Lingüística e Idiomas

ELECTRICITY INT-200
LESSON ONE

NUMBERS

According a general classification, numbers are classified according to the use in two
main groups:
1. The ordinal numbers.-
They are used to indicate order or position. Some of them are:
1st. First 6th. Sixth
2nd. Second 7th. Seventh
3rd. Third 8th. Eighth
4th. Fourth 9th. Ninth
5th. Fifth 10th. Tenth

2. The cardinal numbers.-

These types of numbers are used to indicate quantity. Example:
3 Three 100 One hundred
13 Thirteen 1.000 One thousand
30 Thirty 1.000.000 One million
Note: Years are read by pairs.

VOCABULARY:
……………………………………..
………………………………….
……………………………………..
………………………………….

QUESTIONS:
1. Which are the groups of numbers?
2. Which group indicates quantity?
3. How many groups of numbers are named?
4. Which group is used to indicate position?
5. What are the cardinal numbers used for?
6. What is read by pairs?
7. What according are numbers classified?
8. Which is the first lesson?

EXERCICES
l. Write sentences using ordinal numbers.
Ex: My Second book is new.
The Eighth computer in the laboratory is modern.
1......................................................................................................................
2......................................................................................................................
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II. Write sentences using Cardinal numbers.

Ex: This school has Thousand computers.
Sometimes he eats Four apples.
1......................................................................................................................
2......................................................................................................................

III. Write these quantities.

Ex: 508= Five hundred eight
a) 739=
b) 90.745=
c) 862.453=
d) 36. 922.517=
e) 213.547.818=

IV. Translate
1. The seventh color of my sweater is yellow =...............................................
2. The tenth student of the class is tall =.........................................................
3. The fifth laboratory is of languages =.........................................................
4. Peter lives in the seventh building =............................................................
5. We need four libraries in the school =........................................................
6. They have two dogs and three cats =.........................................................
7. My English book has two thousand pages =...............................................
8. Necesitamos leer tres libros para el examen =...........................................
9. Mi segunda clase es difícil =....................................................................
10.La primera lección es fácil=.......................................................................

HOMEWORK
l. Write five sentences with cardinal numbers.
II. Write five sentences with ordinal numbers.
III. Write four quantities with nine digits
IV. Write sentences with:
-According -Use -Some -Read -Quantity -Pair -Main

LESSON TWO

WHAT DOES A COMPUTER DO?

Input, processing, output

The basic function of a computer is to process information or data. A calculator is a
simple example. First you have to give the calculator information, in this case numbers. Then
you have to give it instructions, telling it what to do with the numbers (add, subtract, divide or
 Lic. Rosario Laura Viscafe
Lingüística e Idiomas

multiply). Finally it has “processed” the data; the calculator

will give you the answer. So there are three steps: first Input
(we put data in), second Processing and third Output (we get
the results).

Keyboards, memory, monitors

A computer can work with numbers, pictures, or
words. We give the computer input through the keyboard or
a mouse, and also through disks containing information. The
information goes into the computers’ memory and is
processed, according to instructions contained in a program.
You can see the results (the output) on a monitor or the
computer can send the output to a printer, which gives us the results printed on paper.
So the three basic steps involved in computers are: input-processing-output. Simple,
isn’t it!

VOCABULARY
...................................................................................................................................................
...........................................................................................................

EXERCISES

I. Write sentences with:

1. Perform=
2. Task=
3. Able to=
4. Store=
5. Retrieve=
6. Quickly=
7. Accurate=

II. Find the synonyms: Find the antonyms:

1. Machine= 1.rapid=
2. Information= 2.input=
3. Perform= 3.small=
4. Accept= 4.sometimes=
III. Questions
1. What does the computer process?
2. What does it accept as input?
3. Which are the three main steps?
4. What does a calculator do?
5. What does the computer output?
6. Which is the basic function of the computer?
7. How many steps are involved?
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8. Which are the main elements of the computer?

9. What are printers?
10. Which is the most common input device?

IV. Read these sentences and decide if they are True or False.
1. The computer is invaluable because it can make drawings. T F
2. Output means the results of computer processing. T F
3. Input, processing and output is a procedure which belongs exclusively to computing.
T F
4. A computer can arrange lists in alphabetical order. T F
5. ROM is an internal memory. T F
6. We can store and retrieve information in the computer. T F
7. It is advisable to buy a disk smaller than 2 Gigabytes. T F

V. Complete with the following verbs:

does use are stores is reads
1. Almost all computers........................31/2 in floppy disk.
2. RAM and ROM ...........................two types of memory.
3. The processor............................the component that actually...............the computing.
4. The computer only..........................the information in ROM.
5. The hard-disk..............................your
software.

• Write the names of the computer parts

LESSON THREE

WHAT IS ELECTRICITY?

Electricity is a physical phenomena originated by

electric loads and for the interaction of them. An electric
load produces electric forces on other forces if it is static
and produces magnetic effects if it is in movement.
Electricity is the movement of electrons in cables that take
the electricity. The negative and positive particles are
attracted to each other.
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There are materials in those that the electrons are

strongly bound to the atoms know each other as insulating,
non drivers or dielectrics. Some examples are the glass, the
rubber or the dry wood (solid elements).
If a material was a perfect driver, the loads would circulate for it without any
resistance, on the other hand some elements present extreme behavior to ambient
temperature.
The electroscope is an instrument qualitative employee to demonstrate the presence
of electric loads.
The current that circulates for a circuit is denominated continuous current (c.c.) if it
flows in the same sense and alternating current (a.c.) if it flows alternating in one or another
sense.
The resistance that a cable offers to the passage of the electrical current depends on
and is moderated by its thickness, length and the metal of which is done. The gold, the
silver, the cooper and the aluminum are excellent conductors.

VOCABULARY
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………
EXERCISES

I. Write sentences with vocabulary

II. Find synonyms and antonyms (5)
III. Relate column A with column B.
A B
1. To solve ........a) to give assistance
2. To store ........b) greatly reduced in size
3. Vast ........c) to find the solution
4. To help ........d) not complicated
5. Simple ........e) benefit
6. Miniaturized ........f) to do operations
7. Advantage ........g) to give
8. To process ........h) very big
9. To provide ........i) example: 1,2,3
10. Numbers ........j) to keep

IV. Translation exercises

 Lic. Rosario Laura Viscafe
Lingüística e Idiomas

LESSON FOUR

ELECTRONS AND ELECTRICITY

There are two kinds of electrical charges, called positive

and negative. Like charges repel each other, whereas unlike
charges are attracted to each other.
The movement of tiny particles of matter are called
electrons which cause electricity. The electron is one of the
particles that make up atoms. The electron is very light in weight
that is why they can go around the much heavier nucleus. The
nucleus of the atom consists of protons and neutrons.
Each atom contains an equal number of electrons and
protons but may have different numbers of neutrons. Copper, which plays an important part
in electricity, has an atom containing 29 electrons and 29 protons, thus the atomic number is
29.
Cells and batteries are still used as a source of electricity for many different
purposes. A variety of metals and other substances are placed in solutions of salts, acids, or
alkalis to make modern batteries.
Chemical electricity is also widely used in the electrolytic process, or electrolysis.

VOCABULARY
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
…………………………………………………
EXERCISES
I. Answer

1. What were the two kinds of electric charges called?

2. What kind of charges repel each other, and what kinds attract?
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Lingüística e Idiomas

3. Describe the parts of the nucleus.

4. What are still used as a source of electricity?
5. How does electrolysis work?
6. What is the charge of protons and of electrons?

II. Complete the following sentences

1. There are two kinds of electric charges, a..............................charge which is indicated by
a.................................sign, and a.................................charge which is indicated by a
...........................sign.
2. A proton is a subatomic particle that has a .............................electric charge.
3. The atomic number of an element indicates the number of ............................ or
.....................................that the atom contains.
4. .....................................are materials that allow free electrons to move through them easily.
5. ............................are materials that restrict the movement of free electrons.
6. The .............................is an electrode with a negative charge.

III. WORD FORM

1. Coordination, coordinate, coordinated, coordinating, coordinator.
a)...............................the many activities in the workshop is the job of a department head.
b) The.......................... of a language institute has assistants to help him with the
.............................of many programs and students scores.

2. Division, divide, divisible.

a) It is often difficult for teachers to...............................the time proportionally between theory
and practice.
b) Are all pair numbers.........................by three?
c) There is always a ..........................of work within a company.

3. Solution, solve, solvable, solver.

a) It will take a lot of time to find a..........................to this complex problem.
b) A calculator can ...........................a problem faster than any human being.

4. Communication, communicate, communicable, communicative.

a) The society uses different methods to..........................with others.
b) Fiber optics is a new development in the field of......................................
c) Some secretaries who work in an office are not very .............................because they are
shy.

IV. SAY IF THE SENTENCE IS TRUE or FALSE

1. Never inspect the oil to prevent problems. .............................

2. Replace worn parts. .............................
3. Use a micrometer to measure diameters. .............................
4. Lubrication is important in separated parts. .............................
 Lic. Rosario Laura Viscafe
Lingüística e Idiomas

• Translate and find the verbs

LESSON FIVE

BASIC ELECTRIC METERS

Basic electric meters include the ammeter for measuring current in amperes, the
voltmeter for measuring electrical pressure in volts, and the
wattmeter for measuring power in watts.
The ammeter operates on the interaction of a magnetic
field, set up by the current to be measured, with a field of a
permanent magnet. They are used for measuring loads in
substations, transformers, distribution feeders and
transformers, secondary mains, and services.
The voltmeter is essentially an ammeter connected in
series with a fixed resistance. They are used for measuring
bus voltages at substations, at secondary terminals, and
consumer services. In a modified form they serve as control
relays for voltage regulators
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A wattmeter is a combination of both the ammeter and the voltmeter elements. They
measure the power input and output at substations.
The basic meters can determine the power factor of circuits and loads.

VOCABULARY

EXERCISES

l. Match column A with column B to complete the steps.

A B
1. Before plugging in the computer, ------a) on the hard disk or on a floppy disk
2. If the computer is 110V, ----b) to turn off the computer and transformer.
3. Turn on -------c) plug it into the wall.
4. Start -------d) check if its voltage is 110V or220V.
5. If the computer is 220V. -------e) from your program.
6. Save your work -------f) the CPU and peripherals.
7. Exit -------g) plug it into a transformer.
8. Don’t forget -------h) your program and begin to work.

II. Translate
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Lingüística e Idiomas

LESSON SIX

ELECTRIC CURRENTS AND CIRCUITS

An electric current is defined as the flow or movement of free electrons through a conductor,
which can be measured and controlled.
The force that generates a flow of electricity is sometimes called
pressure, but a more accurate term is Electromotive Force or
EMF. It is measured in Volts.
The number of electrons flowing per second is measured in
Amperes (amp).
Different conductors allow the current to flow at different rates.
The degree to which they act against the flow of current is called
Resistance. Three excellent conductors are silver, cooper, and
aluminum. Cooper is used for electric wires because it is cheaper
than silver, but aluminum has come into use for wiring purposes
even though it has slightly higher resistance than copper.
Resistance is responsible for the heating and lighting effects of
many common household appliances, which is measured in Ohms.
The relation between volts, amperes and ohms of electric current can be stated in a formula
called Ohm’s Law.
When a current has been generated, it flows in a path called a circuit. There are two basic
kinds of circuits, depending on the way the electrical equipment is connected. The first is a
series circuit where the current goes only by one path, and the second type is called parallel
circuit where two or more wires are placed parallel to each other so that the current has
more than one path through which it can flow.
Household electricity is connected by parallel circuits so that the whole circuit will not fail
because of the failure of one piece of electrical equipment. More circuits are protected by
fuses or other devices which break the circuit when it is overloaded.
Finally, there are two kinds of current flow, Direct Current (dc) and Alternating Current (ac).

VOCABULARY
EXERCISES
I. Word forms
1. Instruction, instruct, instructed, instructor
a) Our math.......................explained to us the principles of binary arithmetic.
b) We were.........................to document our experiments very carefully
c) Both...........................and data have to be arranged before the computer can operate on
them.
2. Description, describe, described
a) Our text included a brief............................of the many scientific procedures.
b) It is difficult to ..........................compound without referring to chemical elements.
3. Specification, specify, specific, specified, specifically
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a) Our company brought three packages with very.......................... applications: payroll,

accounts receivable, and accounts payable.

V. Questions
1. What term is used to generate a flow of electricity?
2. Do all conductors allow the current to flow at the same rate? Why not?
3. Which are the elements of the Ohm’s Law?
4. What is the unit of measurement of resistance?
5. What happens in a series circuit when one piece of equipment burns out?
6. Why are circuits protected by fuses?
7. What are the two kinds of current?
8. Find the electromotive force (v) with the following information:
a) 10 amperes, 12 ohms
b) 2 amperes, 3 ohms
c) 4 amperes, 7.5 ohms

VI. Find seven antonyms

...................................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................

VII. Translate

LESSON SEVEN
 Lic. Rosario Laura Viscafe
Lingüística e Idiomas

WHAT IS A SEMICONDUCTOR?

Semiconductors essentially serve as the basic building materials which are used to
construct some very important electronic components and equipment. The three most
commonly used semiconductors devices are diodes, transistors and integrated circuits
however other special components are also available.
Its primary function is to control currents and
voltages. Diodes can be used as rectifiers to produce
pulsating dc from ac. A transistor can vary the current in
a heating element. An Integrated Circuit can be used to
amplify and demodulate a radio signal.
Semiconductor devices are extremely small and
lightweight components which consume a small amount
of power and are highly efficient and reliable.
These components are made of glass, metal and
ceramic materials; so they are able to operate under extremely hazardous environmental
conditions. They are also able to operate with very low voltages and much safer to work with
pocket-size radios, hand calculators, small battery televisions and other portable electronic
equipment.
The most sophisticated semiconductor devices are Integrated Circuits. On the other
hand, they are highly susceptible to changes in temperature and can be damaged if they are
operated at extremely high temperatures.

VOCABULARY
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………
……………………………………………………………………………

EXERCISES
I. Grammar exercises
II. Say: TRUE or FALSE
1. Components made from semiconductors require high operating voltage...............
2. Practically all modern portable and compact electronic equipment utilizes semiconductor
components. ………………
3. Semiconductors have almost completely replaced the older vacuum tubes components.
…………….
4. Semiconductors are highly susceptible to temperature changes .……………
5. By using semiconductor material it is possible to construct entire circuits………….…

III. Complete

1. The three most common semiconductor components are……………………………...…

2. The primary function of a semiconductor is……………………………...............................
3. The most advanced, complex and sophisticated solid state device is the…………………
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V. Translate

CURRENT FLOW

When a pure semiconductor material such as germanium or silicon is subjected to a

difference-of-potential or voltage as shown in Figure 1-7, the negatively charged free
electrons are attracted to the positive terminal of the voltage source. The positive holes that
are created by the electrons drift toward the negative terminal of the voltage source. As the
free electrons flow into the positive terminal of the voltage source, an equal number of
electrons leave the negative terminal of the voltage source. These electrons are injected into
the left side of the semiconductor material as shown where many of these electrons are
captured or absorbed by holes. As the holes and electrons recombine in this manner, the
holes cease to exist. Therefore the holes constantly drift

I. Write sentences with vocabulary in past tense.

II. Write 10 technical words
III. Find synonyms and antonyms