Transistors

What is a Transistor?

A component that has revolutionized the construction of electronic devices like computers, calculators, and radios

How is a transistor versatile?

It can be used as an electrical switch, an amplifier, or a current regulator

Why is a solid state device reliable?

Because there are no moving parts in a transistor and it is made from solid silicon

Why is a solid state device very compact in it’s design?

Because thousands of transistors can fit into a single integrated circuit

What is an Integrated circuit?

It is one that contains all the necessary circuit components in one single silicon chip

What are transistors the bedrock of?

logic operations that a computer uses to process information

What is an NPN Transistor?

It is made up of thin piece of P type material sandwiched between two pieces of N type material

What is a PNP Transistor

It consists of two pieces of P type material that have a piece of N type between them

Inside the transistor, what do wires connect to?

Three pieces of the semi conductor material

What is the middle piece always called?

The Base

What is one outside piece on the top called?

Collector

What is one outside piece at the bottom called?

Emitter

The symbol for the transistor has an arrow that:

Identifies the emitter

The direction of the arrow tells us:

What kind of transistor it is

A transistor works by:

Using a small amount of current to control the large amount of current

In case of an NPN transistor:

A positive voltage applied to the base will “turn on” the transistor and allow a relatively large current to flow from the collector to the emitter

The moment the positive voltage is removed from the base:

The transistor turns off and stops the current flow

The moment the positive voltage is removed from the base:

The transistor turns off and stops the current flow

A PNP transistor requires a negative voltage at the base to:

Turn it on, and the current then flows from the emitter to the collector