Introduction To Logic Gates

For CSEC Physics

www.cxctutor.org

OBJECTIVES

Cover sections 5.3 - 5.6 of the CSEC

Physics Syllabus which include:

Understand what are logic gates and

how they are used in physics and
electronics.

Discuss the seven (7) basic types of

logic gates.

Determine the correct binary operation

for each type of logic gate mentioned.

Answer related CSEC Physics questions

on the topic of logic gates.

What Are Logic Gates

The concept of logic is present in physics, electronics and even in
mathematics.
A logic gate is an elementary building block of a digital circuit which
either allows a signal to pass through it, or stops it, given than certain
logical conditions are satisfied.
Most logic gates have two inputs and one output. At any given
moment, every terminal is in one of two Binary Conditions: Low (0)
or High (1), represented by different voltage levels.
The logic state of a terminal can, and generally does, change often,
as the circuit processes data. In most logic gates, the low state is
approximately zero volts (0 V), while the high state is approximately
five volts positive (+5 V).

There are seven basic Logic

Gates:
NOT, AND, OR, NAND, NOR, XOR and XNOR

We will look at each of them individually.

The NOT Gate

This is the most basic type of

logic gate which only accepts
one input.

The function of this gate is to

function as a logical inverter,
and hence reverses the logic
state of its input.

The AND Gate

This logic gate has two inputs that produces one
output. The output is 1 (High) only when both
inputs are also high. Otherwise the value for the
output is 0 (Low). Below is a table showing the logical
combinations for the AND gate:
Input 1 (A)

Input 2 (B)

Output (Y)

The OR Gate

This logic gate also has two

inputs and one output.

The output is 1 (High) if

either or both of the inputs
are high.

The output is 0 (Low) only if

both inputs are 0 (Low).

The NAND Gate

This logic gate operates as an AND gate that is
followed by a NOT gate. The output is 0 (Low) only
when both inputs are also high. Otherwise the
value for the output is 1 (High). Below is a table
showing the logical combinations for the NAND gate:
Input 1 (A)

Input 2 (B)

Output (Y)

The NOR Gate

This logic gate is a

combination of the OR gate
followed by an inverter or NOT
gate.

The output is 1 (High) only if

both of the inputs are 0
(Low).

Otherwise the output is 0

(Low).

The XOR Gate

This logic gate acts similar to the OR gate however with the
following exception: The output is 1 (High) if either but
not both inputs are also high. Conversely, the output is 0
(Low) if both inputs are Low or if both inputs are High.
Below is a table showing the logical combinations for the
XOR gate:
Input 1 (A)

Input 2 (B)

Output (Y)

The XNOR Gate

This logic gate is a

combination of the XOR gate
followed by an inverter or NOT
gate.

The output is 1 (High) only if

both of the inputs are the
same.

Otherwise the output is 0

(Low).

Closing Remark
It is by using combinations of logic gates, that complex
operations can be performed.
In theory, there is no limit to the number of gates than can be
arranged together in a single device, but in practice, there is
always a limit to how many components that can be packed
into a given physical space.
Arrays of logic gates are found in many digital integrated
circuits. As technology advances, the required physical volume
for each individual logic gate decrease and overall digital
devices become smaller and capable of even more
complicated operations at an increased speed.

CSEC Physics Questions on Logic Gates

Logic gate questions came in the CSEC Physics
Exams in following years:
May-June 2005 Paper 02 (Question 5)
May-June 2010 Paper 02 (Question 3 bi & 3bii)
Did it come in the January or May/June 2015 Papers?
Will is come in the May/June 2016 Paper?