What is the difference between an IC and a Chip?

Answer 1

That depends on what type of IC you're asking about.

IC stands for Integrated Circuit, meaning that the circuit can have quite a number of components.

Basically, they are composed of miniaturized transistors that have been manufactured in such a way as to create a circuit that performs a specific function.

If you want a buffer that accepts a stream of data and stores it until it is called for by a micro-controller, there are IC circuits that do that. Many transistors are combined in a way that functionally creates a set of J-K flip-flops or equivalent memory units, a counter is created that points to where the NEXT data bit should be stored, and peripheral circuitry is included to allow for reading and clearing the data.

It's all performed at the sub-miniature level and in such a way as to allow it all to be on a single chip.

Different IC chips will have different requirements, and as such will be designed in a completely different way with unique internal circuitry. The IC industry is not a simple technology, and as such will require quite a bit of education in math, electronics and physics to understand.

Answer 2

An integrated circuit (i.c.) is made on a so-called "chip" of silicon.
IC (Integrated Circuit) stands for a general term, used for micro circuits (Packaged).

or we can say that precision of an electronic circuit in a single part is called an IC.

Where as a Chip is multi purpose IC, designed for special types of work.

Chip is latest form of IC. the initial forms or old versions were called ICs.

for example 7400 series, 555 & 556 timers, 4000 series are called ICs

whereas New chips are named micro controllers & micro processors etc.

Afterall, it should be considered that an IC is also called a Chip. or, Both are same.