Espionage Term Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2250 words

Espionage - Term Paper Example It is commonly regarded as spying that entails secretly gathering of information about a competing industry or a foreign government without the holder’s consent of the information. The term can be a reference to economic, political, or business decisions. However, espionage is common to government defensive and foreign policy. Espionage is intrinsically taken for granted, and in many cases punishable by law. Generally, many associates the term with state spying for military purpose that play a crucial role in planning combat phases. The term is an old ancient craft used throughout history in various instances such as in the Bible in the book of numbers when leaders sent spies to scrutinize a country. Still, the cold war relied on intense espionage activities that helped to establish the nuclear weapons secrets. Following this, one can affirm that large corporations and governments make use of espionage to varying degrees. This paper seeks to discuss the origins of Espionage, i ts’ famous cases, targets, and various agents and techniques used to collect this information. Espionage is one of the most known activities of treason. It categorized as political crime that involves transmitting and gathering information correlated to the intent of national defence. Espionage events are well acknowledged throughout history and recorded in ancient documents such as the Bible (Buckley, 2010). In the Bible, one can trace the term in the book of Numbers when Israelites secretly surveyed the country of the Canaanites. Moses dispatched some spies from each Israelites tribe to survey the land of Canaanites for forty days. The intended purpose was to gather information about agriculture and events of the country and efficiently use this information to conquer the land. This was the land promised by God to Abraham that he would posses for future generations, Isaac. Eventually, the

Role of Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Assignment

Role of Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility - Assignment Example Ethics can be defined as the study of moral which is appropriate for taking decisions after judging the plan of action. The two concepts are linked with each other for most of the firms. It is observed that in today’s competitive world, sustainable development is required in every organisation for its successful operation. It also leads to the enhancement of quality of products and services that they offer to their customers (Aybars and Kutlu, â€Å"Managing corporate performance†). Corporate responsibility can be regarded as the degree to which an organization complies with rules and legal guidelines which is made for the betterment of society (Nicolau, â€Å"Corporate social responsibility†). The contemporary business practices often identify noteworthy levels of understanding between the good and responsible corporate practices. In today’s world, the stakeholders and shareholders, who have understood the importance of CSR, is focusing on incorporating b usiness activities within the societal norms, which leads to good management practices. CSR has been regarded as the technique which assists an organization in evaluating the business activities and its effect on the environment and society through transparent and ethical decision making. World Business Council for sustainable development has stated that CSR approach can be defined as method of attaining sustainable development by contributing to the society. The different CSR activities include health and safety, corporate governance and ethics, environmental stewardship, human rights and sustainable development. It, thus, focuses on the features like, societal and community involvement, corporate philanthropy, development and investment, customer satisfaction, employee volunteering, anti-corruption... The assignment highlights the theory of Corporate Social Responsibility and its impact on the community and modern society. The researcher also elaborates the importance of ethics in leading a business organisation in a proper manner today. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, that is described in the assignment helps in revenue generation for a particular organisation in an ethical way. It also contributes positively to the society and environment. The assignment presented by the researcher also depicts the role of Corporate Social Responsibility practices in contemporary organisational practices. It can be concluded though that business ethics and corporate social responsibility have immense importance in development of an organisation. Without following the two fundamental concepts that are mentioned in the assignment, an organisation will not be successful in the long run and can even face challenges. Corporate social responsibility has become the best part of sustaina ble development program. For long-term sustenance, the organisation has to take into account the shareholder’s interest, environment and society as a whole. Ethics elaborates the correct and incorrect behaviour of any human being, which can affect the operation of an organisation and also, lead to disturb the entire society. Therefore, the researcher concluds the discussion and states that ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility both are required for organisational effectiveness for corporations and to run a peaceful business.

Surpassing the Passive Hero in Waverly by Sir Walter Scott Essay

Surpassing the Passive Hero in Waverly by Sir Walter Scott - Essay Example Essentially Welsh seems to attempt to debunk the idea that Scott was even a good novelist, let alone a great romantic novelist, within his books. Welsh admits that Waverly is the prototype for the modern novel, but then goes on to argue the various weaknesses within Scott's technique. He suggests that Scott is not a realist, as he seems incapable of drawing a realistic portrayal of life. Neither is he capable of any type of analysis according to Welsh; he argues succinctly that "Scott never criticizes his own society" (Welsh, 1963). Also, Scott is not a very good romantic writer either as he has no full knowledge of the human heart and his characters are "notoriously unemotional" (Welsh, 1963). By way of proving this, Welsh suggests that Waverly's only emotional moment in his very brief attachment to Flora. . . . . the hero is obviously much more at home as a peacemaker than as a warrior, and it is amusing to watch Waverly racing ahead over the battlefield in order to rescue Hanoverian officers, and then being commended for his distinguished service by the chevalier. According to Welsh, the hero of Waverly is irredeemably passive and thus incapable of realistically portraying action and an active role within society. The hoer is caught within an intensely moralistic society which essentially stifles him. A true hero, according to Welsh, at least within the modern period, is a man for whom "masculinity meant self-control under the most trying circumstances" (Welsh, 1963). These characteristics he sees more within the insular, inward-looking Talbot rather than in the antics of Fergus rushing around Scotland performing traditionally "heroic" deeds. Part of this passivity, according to Welsh, stems from the fact that Scott's novels often revolve around the relationship between the individual and the state. In Waverly the hero adopts a positively Twentieth Century stance as he paradoxically invites and then resists his own arrest. He is contradictory if incredibly passive, at least in a traditionally "heroic" sense. But does this need to be an "either/or" question or can it be "both/and" Can the hero of Waverly exhibit passivity at one point and action at another and still be believable It would seem that the answer to this is a categorical "yes". Real human beings do not act according to a formulaic design for their character. He is not either a "passive character" or a "hero". He can be passive and active according to the moment. A simple glance at what actually occurs in Waverly belies the simple dichotomies that Welsh sets up in his attempted criticism of the novel. The opening of the novel starts with Waverly taking very real action, both in terms of his physical movements and in his decision making. Waverly is brought up in the family home of his Uncle, near London, but is soon given a commission in the Hanoverian army and is posted to Dundee, in Scotland. If he were purely passive he would not have taken up this commission in the first place. As soon as he arrives in Dundee, Waverly decides to take leave in order to meet the Jacobite friend of his Uncle, Baron

Role of Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Assignment

Role of Business Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility - Assignment Example Ethics can be defined as the study of moral which is appropriate for taking decisions after judging the plan of action. The two concepts are linked with each other for most of the firms. It is observed that in today’s competitive world, sustainable development is required in every organisation for its successful operation. It also leads to the enhancement of quality of products and services that they offer to their customers (Aybars and Kutlu, â€Å"Managing corporate performance†). Corporate responsibility can be regarded as the degree to which an organization complies with rules and legal guidelines which is made for the betterment of society (Nicolau, â€Å"Corporate social responsibility†). The contemporary business practices often identify noteworthy levels of understanding between the good and responsible corporate practices. In today’s world, the stakeholders and shareholders, who have understood the importance of CSR, is focusing on incorporating b usiness activities within the societal norms, which leads to good management practices. CSR has been regarded as the technique which assists an organization in evaluating the business activities and its effect on the environment and society through transparent and ethical decision making. World Business Council for sustainable development has stated that CSR approach can be defined as method of attaining sustainable development by contributing to the society. The different CSR activities include health and safety, corporate governance and ethics, environmental stewardship, human rights and sustainable development. It, thus, focuses on the features like, societal and community involvement, corporate philanthropy, development and investment, customer satisfaction, employee volunteering, anti-corruption... The assignment highlights the theory of Corporate Social Responsibility and its impact on the community and modern society. The researcher also elaborates the importance of ethics in leading a business organisation in a proper manner today. The concept of Corporate Social Responsibility, that is described in the assignment helps in revenue generation for a particular organisation in an ethical way. It also contributes positively to the society and environment. The assignment presented by the researcher also depicts the role of Corporate Social Responsibility practices in contemporary organisational practices. It can be concluded though that business ethics and corporate social responsibility have immense importance in development of an organisation. Without following the two fundamental concepts that are mentioned in the assignment, an organisation will not be successful in the long run and can even face challenges. Corporate social responsibility has become the best part of sustaina ble development program. For long-term sustenance, the organisation has to take into account the shareholder’s interest, environment and society as a whole. Ethics elaborates the correct and incorrect behaviour of any human being, which can affect the operation of an organisation and also, lead to disturb the entire society. Therefore, the researcher concluds the discussion and states that ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility both are required for organisational effectiveness for corporations and to run a peaceful business.

Whom do you admire more as a leader Essay Example for Free

Whom do you admire more as a leader Essay These two heroes have embarked from the same destination but on very different journeys. Whilst they are both Iliadic heroes at the start of their stories, they develop and adapt their manner towards the characteristics required of them to succeed. Before we judge them, it is necessary to determine our definition of a successful leader. A hero from the Iliad must be a speaker of words and one who is accomplished in action, according to the horseman Phoinix (Iliad. 9. 413). A leader must have these primary qualities then, as he must lead by example, but to create the ideal we must add to this. The leader should rely on no others but in turn listen to sound counsel. He should be fair in his justice, in control of his situation and surroundings, keep his men abreast of the plan of action and reasoning behind it, remain calm under pressure and have compassion and understanding for his people. Thus his primary concerns should be the welfare of his people, their security and maintaining peace at all costs. His men, a good indicator of his leadership to us, should therefore give him loyalty, trust, and obedience, if the leader has led them suitably. The performance of the men is also important, and what they achieve under his direction is representative of his strength of leadership, though this must be compared with how they act without his presence. These measures can be seen as the important assets of a competent leader, though extenuating and uncontrollable circumstances must be taken into account, as we make a sound judgement of our two heroes. Aeneas and Odysseus themselves are different, both in character and in their quest. Whilst Aeneas is born of the goddess Venus, Odysseus lineage has no close link to a deity. However, whilst Aeneas is of divine descent, he receives little or no help from his mother. When he lands at Carthage and Venus is kind enough to give him information about Didos people, she is disguised and departs immediately after having spoken, to the despair of Aeneas (you so often mock your own son you too are cruel A. 1. 406). The other help he receives is limited (thick mist A. 1. 411) and with no knowledge of its existence. Whilst his mother is vehement in defending her son and his people when she is on Olympus (it is unspeakable. We are betrayed A. 1. 252 take pity on them A. 10. 60), no action is taken to ease him in his distress or console him in person. Within the Aeneid, the gods are not the ever-present guardians that Athene is to Odysseus in the Odyssey, whether they agree or not (Hercules checked the great groan helpless tears streamed A. 10. 465). Athene on the other hand, not only helps Odysseus with her divine power but she gives him advice (go to the swineherd O. 13. 403), disguises him (change you beyond recognition O. 13. 396), and even cares for his family (instil more spirit into Odysseus son O. 1.89, prompted the wise Penelope O. 21. 1). She is very intimate with Odysseus, conversing at length and speaking very openly (you are so persuasive, so quick-witted, so self-possessed O. 13. 333). Whilst Venus never alights on the earth to console Aeneas in his grief (heart sick at the sadness of war A. 8. 29), Athene can not bear to leave her hero in distress (I cannot desert you in your misfortunes O. 13. 332). Aeneas is in fact quite a lonely character and doesnt even compete in the games of Book 5, which we can easily imagine Odysseus competing in (as in the Iliad). His lack of personal contact with the gods shows that he is just a pawn, merely a very important pawn. However, the actual tangible help that Aeneas receives is far greater than Athenes to Odysseus. The son of Venus receives divine weapons beyond all words and of shining splendour. Neptunes actions against the work of Juno allow his crew to survive the shipwreck (calming the swell A. 1. 145). Thus, whilst Aeneas is never given a piece of news from the Olympians that he actually wants to hear (dumb and senseless A. 4. 280), his physical aid from the gods is great. Odysseus receives emotional and strategic help from Athene (the two of them sat down to scheme O. 13. 371), as well as assistance from Hermes in person. However, his encounters with monsters and magic are largely left to him. He is given no divine armour, and Athene checks her aid in deference to Poseidon. But Venus just goes head to head with Juno, despite her lesser status, and aids Aeneas. Odysseus walks with the gods and they interact with him regularly but this counterbalances his character as a loner. Aeneas leadership begins in conjunction with his father Anchises who dies in Sicily, but his son Ascanius is on the voyage also. He also has no alienation from his men, such as Achates, and listens to their words (there is no danger A. 1. 584). Odysseus on the other hand has a difficulty with listening to people. Despite Agamemnons warning in Book 11 (make a secret approach O. 11. 456), it takes Athenes reminder (tell not a single person O. 13. 308) to prevent catastrophe (I would certainly have come to a miserable end if you, goddess, had not made all this clear to me O. 13. 383). He ignores Circes advice not to put on his armour when he goes past Scylla. He ignores his mens attempts to stop him saying his name to the Cyclops. This inability to accept criticism or advice hampers a good relationship with his men. Odysseus hardly ever refers to his men by name and the only man whom we hear in person is the treacherous Eurylochus and the drunken ghost of Elpenor. No direct speech from a living Ithacan on Odysseus crew is ever said to him in kind. Though Odysseus goes so far as to divide the men up and share command with Eurylochus, his pondering as to whether or not he should lop his head off counts against it. Odysseus acts very much on his own compared to Aeneas whom only ever parts company from his men when he is with Dido and when he first lands on Carthage. However, Odysseus is frequently dividing himself from his men. He receives the souls of the dead on his own, with no Sibyl to guide him. He forages on his own in Scherie, he lands his ship away from the others at Telepylus, he lets no one else control the rudder leaving Aeolia and he sleeps away from the others upon Thrinacie. Odysseus repetitive action of taking everything upon himself points to the different nature of his and Aeneas travels. Odysseus is going home to free his wife, his home, and his kingdom. His men just happen to be going to the same place. Aeneas though is going to found a new race with his people. It is essential, for his mission to be completed successfully, that he reaches Latium with a band of men to found Rome. Odysseus though has no commitment to his crew. Homer is very insistent on the fact that the Ithacans on the ship are not worth saving and could not have been saved from destruction, despite Odysseus attempts (in spite of all his efforts their own transgression that brought them to their doom O. 1. 6). The point that these are his fellow countrymen, whom he should have the utmost concern for , as their king, seems to be ignored. Aeneas has no legal duty to his crew as their king, unlike Odysseus. The Ithacan crew does have their shortcomings but compared to the Trojans, the Ithacans arduous trials on the seas are far worse. No rest is received from Troy until Aeaea. The Sirens, and Scylla and Charybdis also occur without a pit stop in between it is not surprising that Eurylochus expresses the wish of the men to land and take on supplies (you expect us, just as we are[to] go wandering off over the foggy sea O. 12. 285). The crew has lost 11 ships by the time they leave the Laestrygonians.

Positive Perspective On Right Realism Criminology Essay

Positive Perspective On Right Realism Criminology Essay Both Right and Left Realism have positive and negative aspects to their perspectives on the definition of crime. Overall, Left Realism is the perspective I agree with most out of the two. The importance of inner-city street crime is central to both Left and Right Realism for different reasons; however both standpoints make the mistake of neglecting the importance of the less visible white-collar crime. This essay will critically evaluate Left and Right Realism, comparing and evaluating the positive and negative aspects of both perspectives. Right Realism Positive perspective on Right Realism Right Realism has been influential on government policy particularly in the USA and through the Thatcher years in the UK. Right Realists use New York City as an example of their zero tolerance policy being successfully adopted, under Police Commissioner William Bratton and Mayor Giuliani in 1994 (Bowling, 1996). The city that had stopped caring about itself reduced the crime rate by 37% over 3 years (Bowling, 1996) Homicide decreased by 51%, violence by 38%, car crime by 40% and robberies by 32% (Gibbons, 1996). Analysts of the New York Miracle tended to agree there had been a significant reduction in crime due to the zero tolerance policing practices brought about by the restructuring of the police department (Bowling, 1996). James Q Wilson was against the popular view that increasing welfare provisions would result in crime reduction (Jones, 2001). He was right to question this notion as during the 1960s these welfare expansions were implemented yet crime rates still rose (Jones, 2001). Hence it is understandable that during the economic downturn of the 1970s Right Realism rose in popularity and right wing governments were appointed in the UK and US (Jones, 2001).The Left Idealist obsession with issues of the 1970s allowed Right Realism to seize initiative in the political power debate as they offered a strong response while the left provided no strategy (Jones, 2001). Wilson and Herrnstein focused on individual choice as well as the tolerance and dependence of individuals on the welfare system as an explanation to criminal behaviour (Jones, 2001). Wilson and Herrnstein strongly backed the idea that effective social conditioning can only take place in a nuclear family and therefore did not approve of single parents (Jones, 2001). Children from broken homes tend to be more likely to perform criminal acts in the future (Portes, 1998). Negative perspective on Right Realism Wilson was the former policy advisor of Republican President Reagan (Jones, 2001). Hence there are sincere issues on relying on official statistics of the time. Wilson ignores crimes of the powerful, which are financially more damaging than public order offenses. His obsession with highly visible criminal behaviour means he neglects white-collar crime, which could be down to his conservative background (Jones, 2001). Wilson and Herrnsteins approach to finding the key grounds underlying criminal behaviour is based on un-precise lexicon which makes it hard to subject their theory to empirical research (Gibbs, 1985). Right Realism fails to acknowledge nearly all socio-economic influences on the way individuals live and the high levels of inequality found in industrial societies (Jones, 2001). Concern of class, gender, power, and race are all neglected (Currie 1991). Wilsons contentious attempt to rejuvenate Lombrosian views on the criminal man is not justified with any new evidence while Lombrosian views on the criminal man were originally built on non-credible evidence anyway (Jones, 2001). Its extraordinary that Wilson overlooked the vast body of evidence that existed linking social factors to crime itself (Jones, 2001). Wilson and Herrnstein were also eclectic in the research they picked to cite in advocating their propositions (Kamin, 1985). There is no clear researched evidence of a relationship between delinquency and urban decline (Matthews and Young, 1992). This significantly weakens the validity of Wilson and Kellings Broken Windows study of New York (Jones, 2001). Instead, ignored factors such as underinvestment and poor facilities are more relevant to the deterioration of a neighbourhood (Matthews and Young, 1992). While the dramatic fall of crime rates in New York City did coincide with the implementation of zero tolerance policing, many have questioned whether they are linked as crime also fell significantly in 17 of the 25 largest cities in the US (Dixon 1999). These crime rate reductions tended to occur in cities using different policing methods to New York, which included Los Angeles, San Diego, Washington DC and Chicago (Bratton, 1997). In particular, the crime reduction trends between New York and Chicago are very similar, yet the methods used so very different. Since 1993 Chicago had been implementing a Le ft Realist community policing strategy that focused on improving public relations with the police (Bratton, 1997). Wilson and Kellings reliance on informal control mechanisms is an issue, such as their belief that the police should be approved to go beyond the authoritarian limits of the criminal law to preserve order on the streets (Jones, 2001). This method makes the assessment of police efficiency rather arduous, as it would increase the scope for discriminatory police behaviour and would make police accountability problematic to say the least (Jones, 2001). These changes allow greater scope for police brutality, which decreases public cooperation with the police in crime ridden areas. This is seen in Philadelphia, where police complain that the biggest obstacle between them and bringing justice is the lack of cooperation they get from the public (Bratton, 1997). Heavy-handed policing can cause entire communities to feel under attack as the distinction between offenders and non-offenders becomes obscured (Lea and Young, 1984). The poor relationship between police and the community was the majo r issue in the Brixton riots in 1981 (Jones, 2001). Wilson believed that US courts had become far too lenient in their punishments of crime, therefore he stated that repeat offenders should be sentenced to lengthy stretches of time in prison (Jones, 2001). This has in fact been implemented in the US as the Three strikes and theyre out baseball metaphor (Jones, 2001). This hard-line strategy has failed as it has left the US with a greater rate of imprisonment than any other MEDC along with a high rate of crime (Currie, 1991). As the rate of imprisonment increased throughout the 1980s, so did the crime rate (Jones, 2001). Left Realism Positive perspective on Left Realism Left Realisms key strength is its recognition of multiple causes of crime. Its focus on victims as well as offenders adds another dimension to the sociological understanding of crime. Left Realists believe a major cause of crime to be the feeling of relative deprivation (Jones, 2001). While this feeling occurs most in the poor working classes, it cannot be acclaimed to be the outcome of poverty. For example there was more poverty in the 1930s Great Depression yet a lower crime rate (Jones, 2001). Unlike Right Realism, the relative deprivation approach has the advantages of finding the causes of crime within social structures and provides an account that does not connect crime entirely to unemployment or poverty (Jones, 2001). An example of relative deprivation and subcultural theory combined can be is seen in Afro-Caribbeans in the UK (Jones, 2001). Left Realism places heavy emphasis on the fear of crime as a cripple on society (Jones, 2001). They are correct to flag this up as a problem as there is definite evidence that fear of crime exists, especially in Britain. The International Crime Victimisation Survey in 2000 shows that citizens of England and Wales top the list of 17 industrialised countries for the number of security devices installed, with Londons CCTV system being the largest in the world (Jones 2001). Lea and Young state that justice should consistently take priority over crime control and that there should be an emphasis on improving public cooperation with police (Jones, 2001). This is a valid statement as police animosity with the public can be disadvantageous to social control (Jones, 2001). Cooperation as many will concur helps the police significantly in keeping order in the streets, making it correct for Left Realists to want focus on bringing people to justice, as in time this has the potential to build trust and cooperation between the public and the police. The 2011 UK riots are an example of Left Realism theories on causes of crime coming to fruition. Marginalisation, alienation, relative deprivation and subcultural theory can all be attributed to the cause of these riots. Interviews with participants of the riots revealed this and they blamed the way police engaged with communities as their main justification of the disorder (James, 2011). Left Realism can use this as evidence in favour of community-friendly policing. Negative perspective on Left Realism For Left Realism, analysis of working class crime has always taken priority over white-collar crime (Jones, 2001). This allows those with the most power in society to influence the images conveyed of what are the most harmful crime problems (Jones, 2001). Left Realism fails to recognise how white-collar and corporate crime is damaging to society as their proposed policing methods do not deal with the issue (Pearce and Tombs, 1992). Furthermore their theories are based on small-scale victim surveys carried out in inner city areas (Mugford and OMalley, 1991). Hence their theories are only applicable to inner-city areas and not representative of the entire nation (Mugford and OMalley, 1991). It is misguiding that Left Realism places so much emphasis on the rationality of the fear of crime (Sparks, 1992). It is incongruous to speculate fear in terms of rationality (Sparks 1992). The aptitude of survey respondents to make a factual estimation of risk is controlled by their fear of crime, which itself is exhibitive of a number of factors linked to their personality (Jones, 2001). Not many individuals are capable of making a valid assessment of the risk of crime in their community as information they obtain will often be exaggerated stories in the local news (Sparks, 1992). Feminists also claim fear of crime rationality is idle to women as local victim surveys that are founded on measuring incidents are unable to access the continuous underlying threat to security that exists in many womens lives (Walklate, 2001). Left Realisms argument for minimalist policing is criticised by Wilson who saw curbs on police power (Britain in the Police and Criminal Evidence Act 1984) as a hindrance to keeping order in communities effectively (Jones, 2001). Left Realism seeks greater legal control of police powers, a limit on discretion and more public involvement in establishing policing priorities (Jones, 2001). Discretion limitation is extremely difficult as the majority of police interaction on the streets cannot be reached by the legal controls (Jones, 2001). Furthermore, radical converts to Left Realism may still hold a bias motive against the police after the 1980s confrontations between left-wing local councils and chief constables over the governments methods on policing (Jones, 2001). Conclusion Left Realism is the perspective I agree with most out of the two due to its key strength in recognising multiple causes of crime through its theories, its desire for more public and police cooperation and its focus on victims and what goes on behind the scenes. In contrast Right Realism cares only for a visible reaction against criminals on the streets, with tougher policing tactics and harsher prison sentences. Right Realisms negatives far outweigh its positives, with it lacking in both empathy and evidence to support its moral absolutism, making it a weaker perspective than Left Realism in comparison. While Right Realism provides more immediately effective tactics on street crime, it fails to solve the underlying causes of crime that Left Realism attempts to address. However, both Left and Right Realism have a significant issue that threatens their title as valid perspectives on crime in that they do not recognise white-collar crime as a problem. While positive points were made for both perspectives, throughout the essay it became increasingly apparent that both Left and Right realism have too many problems with their outlook and proposed methods that need to be addressed.

How a photocopier works :: essays research papers

Photocopiers rely on static electricity to perform an incredibly complex process every time you press the copy button. Photocopiers use a photo receptor drum, a metal drum coated in a layer of semiconductor which is usually selenium. The photoconductivity of selenium means that when illuminated photons cause it to conduct electricity but when it is in the dark it is an insulator. When photons hit the Selenium electrons are liberated allowing current to pass through. When you press COPY on a photocopier a complex process begins. The drum is charged positively by the corona wire; this wire has a very high voltage passed through it and so transfers some to the drum as static electricity. The drum is coated in a layer of positive ions. A strong lamp is then shone up through glass onto the paper which needs to be photocopied. White areas of paper reflect this light back down, through a series of mirrors and lenses, onto the drum. Black areas (print) just absorb the light. When the light hits the selenium it allows current to flow by liberating electrons, the electrons brought by this voltage applied to the core of the drum neutralise the positive charge on parts of the drum in light so that only black areas are now charged. Next small beads covered in tiny black plastic powder are rolled over the drum. The powder is attracted to the drum at areas of positive charge because the toner is negatively charged. Another sheet of paper is charged strongly by the corona wire because this charge is greater than the charge on the drum, when the paper is passed over the drum the toner particles stick to it rather than the drum. When the paper has the toner on it, it passes through heated rollers which melt the black plastic onto the paper so that it is not held with just a weak charge. How a photocopier works :: essays research papers Photocopiers rely on static electricity to perform an incredibly complex process every time you press the copy button. Photocopiers use a photo receptor drum, a metal drum coated in a layer of semiconductor which is usually selenium. The photoconductivity of selenium means that when illuminated photons cause it to conduct electricity but when it is in the dark it is an insulator. When photons hit the Selenium electrons are liberated allowing current to pass through. When you press COPY on a photocopier a complex process begins. The drum is charged positively by the corona wire; this wire has a very high voltage passed through it and so transfers some to the drum as static electricity. The drum is coated in a layer of positive ions. A strong lamp is then shone up through glass onto the paper which needs to be photocopied. White areas of paper reflect this light back down, through a series of mirrors and lenses, onto the drum. Black areas (print) just absorb the light. When the light hits the selenium it allows current to flow by liberating electrons, the electrons brought by this voltage applied to the core of the drum neutralise the positive charge on parts of the drum in light so that only black areas are now charged. Next small beads covered in tiny black plastic powder are rolled over the drum. The powder is attracted to the drum at areas of positive charge because the toner is negatively charged. Another sheet of paper is charged strongly by the corona wire because this charge is greater than the charge on the drum, when the paper is passed over the drum the toner particles stick to it rather than the drum. When the paper has the toner on it, it passes through heated rollers which melt the black plastic onto the paper so that it is not held with just a weak charge.