Physical Foundations of IT: Displays, Printers, and Smart Cards

Every digital device relies on physical phenomena to process, transfer, and render data. Understanding the physical principles behind hardware allows tech enthusiasts, IT students, and curious learners to grasp how software interacts with the physical world. This course explains the fundamental physics governing everyday computer hardware and peripherals. What you'll learn: Understand the core physical laws underlying modern computing devices; Explore optical physics behind LCD, OLED, and electronic paper displays; Learn the electrostatic, thermal, and mechanical principles driving printer technology; Examine electromagnetism and semiconductor physics in contact and contactless smart cards including NFC basics; Analyze how physical properties impact hardware efficiency, resolution, and security. The course begins with foundational terminology, electronic concepts, and key physical laws before moving into detailed text-based breakdowns of specific hardware mechanisms. This course is ideal for beginners, computer science students, and tech enthusiasts with no prior engineering background. Take your first step toward understanding the physical world inside modern technology.