🔍 Why This Matters
We know that circuits can open and close. But how does flipping a switch actually send a message inside a machine?
It seems so simple—but it’s the key to how all computers work.
🖱️ Switches: Tiny Decision Makers
A switch is a tiny device that opens or closes a circuit.
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When it’s open, electricity stops.
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When it’s closed, electricity flows.
That change is meaningful. It’s like saying:
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“Off” becomes “On”
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“No” becomes “Yes”
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“0” becomes “1”
That’s a message. A simple one, but a real one.
💭 Let’s Try an Example
Imagine you have 8 light bulbs.
Each bulb is connected to a switch.
You can:
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Turn all ON
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Turn all OFF
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Turn some ON and some OFF
Each bulb becomes a piece of a code.
Together, the ONs and OFFs form a pattern. And patterns can mean anything:
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A letter
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A number
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A picture
📶 So Every Switch = 1 Bit
A bit is the tiniest piece of information in computing. It can only be:
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ON (1)
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OFF (0)
That’s what computers do: flip bits—switches—very fast.