On Charge-A-ESECUTIVO 7-01-2008 14:06 Pagina 1

A. Strambo
Anna Strambo
Pamela Linwood
Gerard Dorrity

P. Linwood
G. Dorrity
On Charge si rivolge agli studenti del triennio degli
Istituti Tecnici Industriali e degli Istituti Professionali con
specializzazione in Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni ed
Elettrotecnica e Automazione.
È proposto in due versioni differenti che presentano

CHARGE una sezione di Reading Supplements, letture di

approfondimento diverse a seconda degli indirizzi.

ON CHARGE
Il corso si articola in unità didattiche, disposte in 4 sezioni disciplinari (Electricity, Electronics,
Computer Overview, Telecommunications). Ogni unità propone due letture corredate di attività
e si articola in rubriche ricorrenti:
• Getting started introduzione dei concetti e dei vocaboli principali
• Focus on content una prima lettura di carattere più generale con attività di comprensione
• Focus on skills una seconda lettura più specifica con attività focalizzate sulle abilità

CHARGE
• Grammar extension revisione delle strutture grammaticali con esercizi di controllo
• Check your progress esercizi di tipo sommativo per valutare il raggiungimento degli obiettivi.

Le pagine finali presentano le sezioni di Job skills e di Study skills, Grammar Section e
Glossary.

Allegato al testo un minidizionario di inglese tecnico

English for Electronics and Telecommunications

E TELECOMUNICAZIONI
ELETTRONICA
su cd-rom con lemmi speakerati da un madrelingua.
with Computer Overview
On Charge si compone di:
• Student’s Book + CD-Rom TECHNICAL DICTIONARY

• 3 cd audio/Rom per la classe – contenenti le registrazioni

dei testi-base e delle attività di Listening.
• Teacher’s Book

CON LETTURE
DI APPROFONDIMENTO
PER L’INDIRIZZO
ELETTRONICA
E TELECOMUNICAZIONI
Questo volume, sprovvisto del talloncino a lato, è da conside-
rarsi copia di SAGGIO-CAMPIONE GRATUITO, fuori commercio
On Charge + CD Rom (indivisibili)
(vendita e altri atti di disposizione vietati: art. 17, c. 2, L.
633/1941).
Prezzo di vendita al pubblico € 19,00
Fuori campo applicazione I.V.A. (D.P.R. 26/10/72, n. 633, art. 2, (Defiscalizzato € 18,27)
3° co, lett. d.)

www.scuola.com
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On Charge-frontespizio 17-01-2008 12:58 Pagina 1

Anna Strambo
Pamela Linwood
Gerard Dorrity

CHARGE
English for Electronics and Telecommunications
with Computer Overview

CON LETTURE
DI APPROFONDIMENTO
On Charge COLOPHON.qxd 17-01-2008 10:13 Pagina 1

internet: www.petrini.it
e-mail: linguestraniere@petrini.it

Coordinamento editoriale: Anna Moretta

Si ringraziano i professori G. Carnevale Carlino, P. Citarda, G. Korwin, R. Magnaguagno, S.

Ovazza, P. Pezzali, A. Scarpari, R. Sempio, B. Varotto, L. Vettore per gli utili suggerimenti.

Proprietà letteraria riservata

© 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA – Novara
1ª edizione: gennaio 2008
Printed in Italy

Le fotografie di copertina sono state fornite da:

George Diebold Photography, Gettyimages; Satellite communication Antenna, Construction
Photography/Corbis; Shanghai Maglev Train Station, Xiaoyang Liu/Corbis; Robotic Handshake,
William Whitehurst/Corbis

Le fotografie di questo volume sono state fornite da:

DeA Picture Library; Lucidio Studio Inc./Corbis; P. Souders/Corbis; Bettmann/Corbis; M. Monetti;
T. Kitamura/AFP/Grazia Neri; A. Cooper/Corbis; Creasource/Corbis; G. Schuster/Zefa/Corbis; J.
Ayissi/AFP/Grazia Neri; DeA Picture Library/A. De Gregorio; H. Gal/Corbis; Schenectady
Museum, Hall of Electrical History Foundation/Corbis; W. Whitehurst/Corbis; Ch.
Doyle/Photonica/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; L. Williams/Zefa/Corbis; S. Stulberg/Corbis; DeA
Picture Library/Photo 1; R.H. Wetmore II/Stone/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; R. Ressmeyer/Corbis;
Reuters/Contrasto; R. Chapple/Taxi/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; Y. Arthus-Bertrand/Corbis; Visuals
Unlimited/Corbis; DeA Picture Library/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; M.S. Yamashita/Corbis; A.
Francekevich/Photographer’s Choice/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; V. Lombardo/Photographer’s
Choice/Getty Images/L. Ronchi; K. Kittle/Corbis; W. McNamee/Corbis; Yogi, Inc./Corbis

L’editore ha controllato fino alla fase di prestampa del corso che i siti internet citati avessero
contenuti compatibili con le finalità educative del testo.

L’Editore dichiara la propria disponibilità a regolarizzare eventuali omissioni o errori di attribuzione.

Nel rispetto del DL 74/92 sulla trasparenza nella pubblicità, le immagini escludono ogni e qualsiasi possi-
bile intenzione o effetto promozionale verso i lettori.

Tutti i diritti riservati. Nessuna parte del materiale protetto da questo copyright potrà essere riprodotta in
alcuna forma senza l’autorizzazione scritta dell’Editore.
Fotocopie per uso personale del lettore possono essere effettuate nei limiti del 15% di ciascun
volume/fascicolo di periodico dietro pagamento alla SIAE del compenso previsto dall’art. 68, comma 4,
della legge 22 aprile 1941 n.633.
Le riproduzioni ad uso differente da quello personale potranno avvenire, per un numero di pagine non
superiore al 15% del presente volume/fascicolo, solo a seguito di specifica autorizzazione rilasciata da
AIDRO – Corso di Porta Romana, 108 – 20122 Milano – e-mail segreteria@aidro.org e sito aidro@iol.it;
www.aidro.org
Eventuali segnalazioni di errori o refusi e richieste di chiarimenti sulle scelte operate dagli autori e dalla
Casa Editrice possono essere inviate all’indirizzo di posta elettronica della redazione.

Stampa: AGF - Italia – Peschiera Borromeo (MI)

Edizione: I II III IV V VI

Anno: 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013

U00_OnCharge_romane 12-01-2008 19:35 Pagina III

Presentazione

On Charge è un corso di inglese per il triennio degli Istituti Tecnici

Industriali e per gli Istituti Professionali con specializzazione in
Elettrotecnica, Elettronica e Telecomunicazioni. È disponibile in due ver-
sioni – blu e rossa – con letture di approfondimento diverse per i due indi-
rizzi.
Il corso è rivolto a studenti che abbiano una conoscenza generale della
grammatica e del lessico di base inglesi. Tale livello di conoscenza corri-
sponde di norma all’inizio del triennio di studi superiori. Grazie all’utiliz-
zo di materiali aggiornati e stimolanti e alla presenza di attività diversifi-
cate, On Charge si propone di aiutare gli studenti a raggiungere una padro-
nanza operativa del linguaggio tecnico e, nello stesso tempo, a rafforzare
le abilità di comprensione scritta e orale acquisite negli anni precedenti.
Lo Student’s Book è articolato in 4 sezioni – Electricity, Electronics,
Computer Overview, Telecommunications – ognuna delle quali è costitui-
ta da un numero variabile di unità, per un totale di 24. Si è cercato di
seguire un criterio progressivo per quanto riguarda la complessità delle
strutture linguistiche e del lessico, mentre per quanto riguarda gli argo-
menti, le unità sono indipendenti e permettono una trattazione flessibile
a seconda delle necessità della classe o di eventuali percorsi pluridiscipli-
nari.
Le unità sono strutturate nel modo seguente:
• Getting Started – attività e/o brevi testi introduttivi tramite i quali gli
studenti possono mostrare le loro conoscenze tecniche pregresse e/o le
loro capacità di intuizione e anticipazione rispetto ai contenuti del-
l’unità.
• Focus on Content – testi base di contenuto tecnico che stimolano l’ap-
prendimento della grammatica e del lessico specifico attraverso la pre-
sentazione di argomenti già noti agli studenti nella loro lingua madre.
• Focus on Vocabulary – attività ed esercizi di potenziamento linguistico
che fanno riferimento al testo del Focus on Content e ai testi eventual-
mente presenti nel Getting Started.
• Focus on Skills – testi di varia tipologia e provenienza a carattere più
divulgativo e presentati in forma di letture e di ascolti. Il loro scopo è
stimolare l’utilizzo autonomo delle strutture e del lessico appresi e/o
potenziati attraverso attività di produzione orale e scritta.
• Grammar Extension – tabelle grammaticali e/o brevi spiegazioni rela-
tive a strutture presenti nei testi dell’unità e accompagnate da esercizi.
I rimandi alla Grammar Section che si trova a fondo libro, forniscono
agli studenti integrazioni e esercizi supplementari.
• Check your progress – rubrica di chiusura dell’unità che permette agli
studenti, tramite attività di tipologia varia, una prima autovalutazione
di quanto appreso dal punto di vista grammaticale, lessicale e contenu-
tistico.

On Charge - Petrini © 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA - Novara

III
U00_OnCharge_romane 12-01-2008 19:35 Pagina IV

PRESENTAZIONE

Al termine delle 24 unità vengono introdotte 15 schede incentrate sulle

abilità essenziali in campo professionale (job skills) e nello studio (study
skills).
Parte integrante e assoluto punto di forza del testo sono i Reading
Supplements, presenti in due versioni diverse per l’indirizzo elettrotecni-
co e per l’indirizzo elettronico e delle telecomunicazioni. Si tratta di 23 let-
ture per ciascun indirizzo, corredate da esercizi di comprensione e di lessi-
co, che si configurano come materiale extra da utilizzare in classe o a casa:
loro caratteristica fondamentale è la trattazione di argomenti di estrema
attualità che approfondiscono temi collegati al testo.
On Charge è completato da una Grammar Section, con agili note
grammaticali che affiancano e integrano le Grammar Extensions delle
unità e una serie di esercizi utili per lavori di revisione e recupero, e da un
Glossary finale che raccoglie i vocaboli tecnici più significativi delle unità
fornendone una breve spiegazione in lingua e il traducente italiano.
Data la grande importanza della corretta pronuncia di sigle e termini
specialistici, talvolta difficilmente reperibili sui dizionari ma fondamentali
per una efficace comunicazione fra tecnici nel mondo del lavoro, On
Charge mette a disposizione un dizionario tecnico su cd-rom con i lemmi
speakerati e tre cd audio per la classe su cui sono registrate non solo le
attività di listening propriamente dette, ma anche i testi tecnici della
sezione Focus on Content di ogni unità: gli studenti avranno così l’oppor-
tunità di ascoltare testi letti da differenti voci madrelingua.
Per i docenti è disponibile il Teacher’s Book, che contiene le soluzioni degli
esercizi con alcuni suggerimenti operativi e i tapescripts delle attività di
listening, 24 tests di valutazione fotocopiabili – uno per unità – (disponi-
bili anche in versione word sul primo dei cd audio classe, per una più
autonoma gestione da parte dei docenti), 10 schede per simulazioni della
Terza Prova d’esame e alcuni “projects” tecnico-pratici di varia difficoltà
da svolgere singolarmente o a gruppi e da presentare in lingua inglese di
fronte alla classe.

IV On Charge - Petrini © 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA - Novara

U00_OnCharge_romane 12-01-2008 19:35 Pagina V

Table of contents
SECTION 1 ELECTRICITY
UNIT 1 Basic electricity (1)
• The atom and current electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
• Atomic and sub-atomic particles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Grammar Extension: Logical connectors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

UNIT 2 Basic electricity (2)

• Electric charges and static electricity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
• How photocopiers work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Grammar Extension: The passive (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

UNIT 3 Materials and their electrical properties

• Conductors, insulators, semiconductors and superconductors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
• Superconductors – the key to energy efficiency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22
Grammar Extension: Comparative and superlatives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25

UNIT 4 Magnetism and Electromagnetism

• The principles of magnetism and electromagnetism . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28
• Maglev vehicles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Grammar Extension: Verb patterns (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33

UNIT 5 Measuring electricity

• Electrical measures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
• Understanding Units of Measure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Grammar Extension: Relative pronouns (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

UNIT 6 Current and circuits

• DC and AC circuits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
• Danger! Electric shock! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Grammar Extension: Noun strings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

UNIT 7 AC and DC generators

• The generation of current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52
• Energy production – which way forward? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 54
Grammar Extension: The passive (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 57

UNIT 8 Electric motors

• Types and features of DC and AC motors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60
• Robotics and automation (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 62
Grammar Extension: Present tenses in time and conditions clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 65

UNIT 9 Batteries
• Types of battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 68
• Fuel Cells: The Clean Option . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 70
Grammar Extension: The passive (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 73

On Charge - Petrini © 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA - Novara

V
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Table of contents
SECTION 2 ELECTRONICS
UNIT 10 Basic electronics
• Passive components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 76
• Curious facts about Vacuum Tubes . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 78
Grammar Extension: Defining and non-defining relative clauses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 81

UNIT 11 Transistors
• The 20th century’s most important invention? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 84
• The Birthplace of the Transistor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 86
Grammar Extension: Quantifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89

UNIT 12 Logic gates

• Digital logic systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 92
• Intel – company history . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 94
Grammar Extension: The Simple past ........................................................... 97

UNIT 13 Ics – Integrated circuits

• Microchips and their characteristics . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 100
• Robotics and automation (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 102
Grammar Extension: Special comparative forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105

UNIT 14 Microprocessors
• What is a microprocessor? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 108
• Nanotechnology: dream or reality? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 110
Grammar Extension: Verb patterns (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 113

SECTION 3 COMPUTER OVERVIEW

UNIT 15 Basic IT (1)
• Computer systems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 116
• Robotics and automation (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 118
Grammar Extension: Uncountable nouns . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 121

UNIT 16 Basic IT (2)

• Computer languages . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 124
• Virtual Worlds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126
Grammar Extension: Opposites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 129

UNIT 17 Networks
• How networks communicate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 132
• Social networking . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 134
Grammar Extension: Verb patterns (3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 137

UNIT 18 The Internet

• Web browsers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 140
• How much does the Internet weigh? . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142
Grammar Extension: Special passive forms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 145

VI On Charge - Petrini © 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA - Novara

U00_OnCharge_romane 12-01-2008 19:35 Pagina VII

SECTION 4 TELECOMMUNICATIONS
UNIT 19 Communications modes (1)
• Transmission lines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 148
• Wireless communication . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 150
Grammar Extension: Present perfect vs Simple past . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153

UNIT 20 Communications modes (2)

• Features and applications of optical fibres . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 156
• Lasers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 158
Grammar Extension: to + base form; for + ing form . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 161

UNIT 21 Radio and television communications

• From transmitter to TV screen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 164
• Plasma vs liquid crystals: know the facts before you buy . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 166
Grammar Extension: Conditional sentences . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 169

UNIT 22 Telephones, faxes and modems

• How telephones work . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 172
• Fax machines and modems . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 174
Grammar Extension: Using modals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 177

UNIT 23 Antennas
• What antenna do . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 180
• Types of antennas . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 182
Grammar Extension: Articles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 185

UNIT 24 Artificial satellites and satellite communications

• Types of artificial satellites . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 188
• Communication architectures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 190
Grammar Extension: Using impersonal language . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 193

JOB SKILLS/STUDY SKILLS 194-209

Letters requesting information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 194 Reading job ads . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 202
Letters confirming orders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 Writing a curriculum and a letter of application . 203
Letters of complaint and apology . . . . . . . . . . . . . 196 Managing job interviews . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 204
Telephoning . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 197 Internet English . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 205
Writing a report . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 198 Reading mathematical symbols . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 206
Describing companies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 199 Checking the pronunciation of words . . . . . . . . . 207
Describing charts (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 200 Using a dictionary (1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 208
Describing charts (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 201 Using a dictionary (2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 209

READING SUPPLEMENTS 211-233

Grammar Section . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 235-253 Glossary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 254-258

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UNIT SECTION 1 ELECTRICITY

1 Basic Electricity (1)

GETTING STARTED

Two atoms bump into each other.

I think I lost I’m positive!

an electron!

Are you
sure?

A neutron walks into a bar and asks the barman:

How much
is a beer?
For you,
no charge.

: free
ere, costo
 ] s. 1 spesa, on ’i ng re sso;
tʃɑd zzo d
charge [´ ; admission –, pre carico del
ito a
of –, gratu rward, spese ballo
a rg e s fo
fo r p a cking, im ni
ch o – m is sio
rio; n charges,
com
destinata b a n k n to a perto
compreso
 (a m er.) co f, 1 These two stories are based on the double meaning of the
 – acco
u n t, be in – o
bancarie ) 2 in carico: to it à d i  words “positive” and “charge”.
n negoz io nsabil
(presso u e z io ne d i, la respo p e rs o n in
la dir to; a Look at the two extracts from a bilingual dictionary and
assumere o incarica nza, cura:
l in – , funzionari so rv eg lia underline the appropriate translations.
officia sp o n sa bile 3 eglianza
di,
re tto la so rv
–, addetto e ss ere so c c usa : to b Can you explain why the stories are funny?
o.’s –, (dir.) a
to be in s. cure di qlcu. 4 u .; h e w as
lle qlc
aff idato a ainst s.o., accusare estato sotto
ag arr
bring a – a – of murder, fu carica.
arrested
o n
io 5 (m il., ele r.)
tt pos-it-ive [´pɒz
ɘtv] agg.
omicid 1 positivo: a –
accusa di attitude towards lif
e, un atteggiamento
ottimistico nei conf positivo,
ronti della vita; a –
risposta affermativ reply, una
a; a – result, un
positivo 2 effettivo risultato
; concreto: he is a
è proprio un secc – nuisance,
atore, è un vero
3 preciso, definitivo seccatore
: I gave you – instru
ho dato istruzioni pr ctions, ti
ecise (dir.) – evide
diretta, positiva nce, prova
4 convinto, certo
mat.) positivo: p. ele 5 (elettr.,
ctricity, elettricità
positiva.

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2 The words and

expressions in the box are neutron
similar to their Italian
1.
equivalents. In pairs, use
them to label the two figures.

neutron
chemicals nucleus cell 2.
proton positive terminal
electrons orbit
conducting wire

4. 3.
Bohr’s model atom

5.

6.

negatively charged
casing

electron flow

8. 7.

Electrons flowing in a circuit

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SECTION 1 ELECTRICITY

Focus on content
3 Listen and read.

The atom and current electricity

All matter is made up of atoms but, as we cannot see them under the most powerful microscope,
scientists construct models to explain and predict their behaviour. In 1913 a Danish physicist, Niels
Bohr, proposed a very simple model of the atom. In this model small electrons with negative elec-
trical charge move in orbits around a central nucleus containing positively charged particles called
protons and particles without charge called neutrons.
In a normal atom the negative charges on the elec-
trons are exactly balanced by the positive charges on
the nucleus: we say that an atom in this state is neut-
ral. The electrons which go round the nucleus stay
there because opposite charges attract, that is, a pro-
ton and an electron exert a force on each other which
pulls them together. The electrons are confined to
orbits at fixed distances from the nucleus: each orbit
corresponds to a specific amount of energy carried by
the electrons in it. If an electron gains or loses energy,
it can jump to the next orbit away from the nucleus or
towards it. The force of attraction of the nucleus gets
weaker with distance, so the electrons in the most
Atomium, Brussels

Focus on vocabulary
5 The verbs in the box all appear in the text above. 6 Below are some more words from the text which
Use them in the correct form to complete these are similar to Italian. Find their opposites choosing
sentences. from the words in the box.
accumulate connect construct attached complex generic internal
predict propose lack peripheral repulsion
a There are plans to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . a new a simple .....................................................................

bridge across the river. b central .....................................................................

b It is difficult to . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the effects of c specific .....................................................................

that accident. d attraction .....................................................................

c He has . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . an interesting e external .....................................................................

solution to our problems. f detached .....................................................................

d A solar panel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . energy from the sun. g excess .....................................................................

e A conducting wire . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . the casing

to the terminal.

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UNIT 1 Basic Electricity (1)

external orbits can easily be detached from the atom,

either by collision or by an electric field. The detached
electrons are called free electrons.
All materials contain some free electrons. They
move among the atoms at random, but this move-
ment is normally equal in all directions. Therefore, no
electrons are lost or gained by any part of the material.
However, it is possible to make the electrons flow in a
uniform direction, creating what we call an electric
current.
Niels Bohr
A typical example of an electric current is that of a
dry cell. Because of the internal chemistry of the cell, the outer casing accumulates
an excess of free electrons, while the centre terminal has practically no free
electrons. If we connect the casing and the terminal with a conducting wire,
electrons will flow along the wire from the casing to the terminal, since they are
attracted towards areas with a net positive charge.

4 Answer the following questions:

a Who was Niels Bohr? e When can an electron become a free electron?
b What is the structure of Bohr’s atom? f How do free electrons move in a material?
c When do we say that an atom is neutral? g How can we create an electric current in a dry
d What happens if an electron gains or loses cell?
energy?

OVER TO YOU
8
Complete these descriptions.
a The structure of an atom.
7 Choose some of the words in exercise 6 to In an atom . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . is a central
complete the following sentences. nucleus . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . up of protons and
a The electrons in the most . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . A number of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
orbits are not easily detached from the atom, move in orbits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . it. The
because the force of . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of the . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of electrons in a normal atom
nucleus is very strong. is . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to the number of
b The movement of free electrons is equal in all ....................................
directions. This means that there is no
b How we obtain current electricity.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . or . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . of
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . electrons normally move at
electrons in any part of the material.
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . among the atoms of a
c Bohr’s model of the atom is still used today
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . , but if we make them
because it is not very . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . in a uniform . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

we obtain an . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . current.

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U01_OnCharge_002-009 12-01-2008 11:38 Pagina 6

SECTION 1 ELECTRICITY

Focus on skills
9 A Before reading the text, read these C Some words are highlighted in the text.
statements. Do you think they are true (T) Write them next to their translation.
or false (F)? Discuss them with a partner. 1 ....................................... rimbalza
T F 2 ....................................... prova
1 Protons and neutrons are composite 3 ....................................... e` dovuto a
particles of matter.   4 ....................................... decadere
2 Protons are made up of “quarks”.   5 ....................................... colpiti
3 There are different types of quarks.   6 ....................................... gusti
4 “Gluons” orbit around the nucleus.   7 ....................................... lega, tiene insieme
8 ....................................... per quanto riguarda
9 ....................................... acceleratori di particelle

B Now read and check your answers.

Atomic and sub-atomic particles

You Ask. We Answer.
What does matter really consist of?
(Asked by Karen Johnson, 17, Gaysham Comprehensive School, Essex.)
quark

This is one of the central problems of physics. We know that an

atom is constituted by a nucleus which contains neutrons and
protons and by a cloud of electrons revolving around it. Is this
the end of the story? No. Because protons and neutrons are not neutron

fundamental particles like electrons, but they have an internal

structure, they are composite particles. They seem to be com- proton
posed of what we call “quarks”. So far we know of six quark types
(scientists call them “ flavors ”): up, down, strange, charm, top
and bottom. However, only two of these quarks (up and down)
are stable, and will not decay . The heavier quarks aren’t found
in nature and have only been observed in particle accelerators
.

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U01_OnCharge_002-009 12-01-2008 11:38 Pagina 7

UNIT 1 Basic Electricity (1)

D Answer the following questions:
a What is the traditional description of an atom?
b Why is that description not good enough?
c Are all quarks found in nature?
d When do protons and neutrons reveal their
LEXICAL CHUNKS E Choose the correct word(s)
to complete the sentences.
by for of (x2) on to up of
a The movement of free electrons is responsible
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . current flow.

internal structure? b An atom is composed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

e What are “gluons”? fundamental and composite particles.
c A nucleus is made . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . quarks and
gluons.
d A lithium atom consists . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . three
protons, three electrons and four neutrons
e A cell is constituted . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
chemicals, an outer casing and a terminal.
f The position of an electron around the nucleus is
due . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . its amount of energy.
g These calculations are correct because they are
based . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . our measurements

The proton is made up of two up quarks and a down quark

(uud), while the neutron consists of one up quark and two down
quarks (udd). Proof of their existence is based on laboratory
experiments. When protons and neutrons are struck with parti-
cles that truly are fundamental (like electrons, photons etc.) the
protons and neutrons reveal their structure in the way the collid-
ing particle rebounds .

So, you may think the nucleus is made up of up and down

quarks. But that is not true either. There are also “gluons”, which
are the force that holds quarks together and are also responsible
for the nuclear force that binds the nucleus together.

Is that all? No, not yet. Apart from the quarks that constitute the
nucleons (i.e. neutrons and protons) there also exists a “sea of
quarks”, which continually appear and disappear: this is due to
quantum fluctuations.

So, a nucleus is quite a complicated thing. But you can say,

as far as fundamental particles go , the nucleus is made up of A proton
quarks and gluons…
(Answered by: Yasar Safkan, Ph.D., Software Engineer, Noktalar A.S., Istanbul, Turkey)

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U01_OnCharge_002-009 12-01-2008 11:38 Pagina 8

SECTION 1 ELECTRICITY

Focus on skills
10 MAKING A PHONE CALL A Complete the ** Hello, Mr Roberts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?(5).
phone call using the expressions in the box. – Well, I saw an advertisement for your products in
Electronics Weekly and I’d like to make some
you’re welcome I’d like some information enquiries about them.
I’ll put you through to very kind of you ** Yes, of course. Which range of products . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Sarah Harper speaking are you interested in . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ?(6).
what can I do for you hold on – Mainly the HV300s.
* Hello, Ryman Electronics. Can I help you? ** Well, I can send you a full catalogue and price
– Hello, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (1) list...
about your products. – Thank you. That’s . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (7)
* . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (2), please, . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (3) ** . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (8).
Sarah Harper in the Sales Department. Can I have your address,
** Sales department. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (4). please?
– Hello, this is Michael Roberts of Evans – Yes, of course. It’s...
Engineering.

B Now listen to the complete conversation and check your answers.

11 ROLE PLAY Act out a similar telephone conversation with your partner using the guidelines below.

Student A Student B
You are on a 3-month language course in London 1. First you are the switchboard operator.
and you have seen an advertisement for a Put the caller through to the director of studies.
computer course in Time Out magazine.
Call the school and ask for some information about 2. Now you are the director of studies.
the courses: Answer the caller’s questions using the
information in the prospectus below.
e.g Then offer to send the caller a full prospectus with
How long... last? details of fees.
What time... ?
How much... ?
N.B. You would like to start as soon Evedale College
as possible. Your hotel fax number
is 020-7981 9211. 24-26 Oxford Street, London W1N 9FL
0800 980 1549
n
al Educatio
Internation best!
at its
N
Prospectus
MINISTR ATIO
BUSINESS AD
COMPUTING
& IT • TR AV EL & TO URISM Computing and IT Courses
GUAGES
MODERN LAN
CY & FINANCE
ACCOUNTAN DURATION: 2 months or 4 months
STUDIES
SECRETARIAL (New courses start on the first Monday of each month.)
00 980 1549
ll FREE on 08
For details ca ,
edale College
or write to: Ev Office ,
The Central Ad
missions TIMES: 3 times a week: Mon, Wed, and Fri
nd on W 1N 9FL
Street, Lo Choice of early afternoon course (2pm-5pm)
24-26 Oxford
or evening course (7pm-10pm)

Evedale FEES: 2-month course £250; 4-month course £475

College
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U01_OnCharge_002-009 12-01-2008 11:38 Pagina 9

UNIT 1 Basic Electricity (1)

Grammar Extension
Logical connectors
A These are logical connectors from the texts you have read. Match the pairs with the same meaning. Then write
their Italian translation(s), choosing from those given in the box.

perciò/quindi poichè/siccome tuttavia/ma

therefore but .tuttavia/ma

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

since so . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
however as . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

B Choose the correct connectors in these sentences.

1 Atoms cannot be seen even under the most powerful microscopes; but/therefore, physicists construct
models of them.
2 Since/However the force of attraction of the nucleus gets weaker with distance, the electrons on the
external edge of an atom are held in orbit rather loosely.
3 There are six quark types. However/So, only two of these quarks are stable and will not decay.
4 Electrons move in fixed orbits. But/Therefore, if they gain extra energy, they can jump to the next orbit
away from the nucleus.
5 Electrons are attracted towards areas with a net positive charge. So/As, if we connect the casing and the
terminal by means of a conducting wire, they will flow along the wire from the casing to the terminal.

C Form complete sentences using the connectors in the middle.

1 I’m not very good at Maths as a I am the only one who knows him.
2 It’s raining hard and b I have to ask for my father’s help.
3 I’m picking Mr Gibson up at the station so c I don’t want to take a taxi.
4 It’s already 7 o’clock but d Peter is not here yet.

Check your progress

KEY WORDS How many of these words do you TRANSLATION Translate this sentence into Italian.
remember in English? a When the outer casing of a dry cell is connected
atomo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . to the centre terminal by means of a conducting
attrazione . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . wire, electrons will flow along the wire from the
carica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . casing to the terminal, that is, from negative to
corrente elettrica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . positive.
elettricità . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
elettrone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Translate these sentences into English.
filo (elettrico) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
fisica . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . b In un atomo ci sono protoni, neutroni ed elettroni.
fluire, flusso . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Il nucleo è costituito da protoni e neutroni, mentre
materia . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . (= while) gli elettroni si muovono in orbita attorno
neutrone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ad esso.
nucleo . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . c I gluoni sono particelle subatomiche. Ci sono sei
orbita . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “gusti” di gluoni; tuttavia solo i gluoni “up” e
particella elementare/composta . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . “down” si trovano in natura.
protone . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

On Charge - Petrini © 2008 De Agostini Scuola SpA - Novara

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