Question

A certain computer chip that has dimensions of 3.67 cm and 2.93 cm contains 3.5 million transistors. If the transistors are square, what must be their maximum dimensions (in terms of microns or µm)? (Note: Devices other than transistors are also on the chip, and there must be room for the interconnections among the circuit elements. Transistors smaller than 0.7 μm are now commonly and inexpensively fabricated.)

Answer 1

1.56 × 10^-3 cm.

Step-by-step explanation:

So, we are given the following parameters from the question above;

Length = 3.67 cm, breadth = 2.93 cm, and the number of embedded transistors = 3.5 million.

Step one: find the area of the computer chip.

Therefore, Area = Length × breadth.

Area = 3.67 cm × 2.93 cm.

Area of the computer chip = 10.7531 cm^2. = 10.75 cm^2.

Step two: find the area of one transistor

The area of one transistor is; (area of the computer chip) ÷ (number of embedded transistors).

Hence;

The area of one transistor= 10.7531/4.4 × 10^6.

The area of one transistor= 2.44 × 10^-6 cm^2.

=> Note that We have our transistors as square, therefore;

The maximum dimension = √ (2.44 × 10^-6) cm^2.

The maximum dimension= 1.56 × 10^-3 cm.