Question

The electronic components used in the third generation of computers are
A. Vacuum tubes
B. Transistors
C. Integrated circuit
D. None of these

Answer 1

Hint: Computer generations are depending on when major technological changes in computers took place, like the use of vacuum tubes, transistors, integrated circuits, and the microprocessor. As of 2020, there are five generations of computers.

Complete Step-by-step answer: The first generation of computers used vacuum tubes as a significant piece of technology. Vacuum tubes were used extensively in computers from 1940 through 1956. Vacuum tubes were bigger components and led to first-generation computers being quite big in size, taking up a lot of space in a room. Some of the first-generation computers occupy an entire room.

The second generation of computers saw the use of transistors rather than vacuum tubes. Transistors were used extensively in computers from 1956 to 1963. Transistors were smaller than vacuum tubes and enabled computers to be reduced in size, quicker in speed, and less expensive to build.

The third generation of computers launched the use of integrated circuits (IC) in computers. Using IC's in computers helped decrease the size of computers even more than second-generation computers, and also made them faster.

The fourth generation of computers took advantage of the invention of the microprocessor, widely called a CPU. Microprocessors, with integrated circuits, helped make it possible for computers to fit easily on a desk and for the beginning of the laptop.

The fifth generation of computers is starting to use AI (artificial intelligence), an exciting technology with many prospective applications all over the world. Leaps were made in AI technology and computers, but there is still room for improvement.



Therefore the correct answer is Option C.

Note: As of 2021, most still consider us to be in the fifth generation as AI continues to evolve. One potential contender for an upcoming sixth generation is the quantum computer. Though, until quantum computing becomes more advanced and widely used, it is still only a very promising idea.