What does a transistor do in a circuit?
transistor, semiconductor device for amplifying, controlling, and generating electrical signals. Transistors are the active components of integrated circuits, or “microchips,” which often contain billions of these minuscule devices etched into their shiny surfaces.
What is transistor and its circuit symbol?
Transistors amplify and control the applied electric signals. A transistor is made up of three terminals which are called the emitter, base and collector. An electrical signal is applied to the base and the current flows between emitter and collector.
What is a transistor in simple words?
Definition of transistor 1 : a solid-state electronic device that is used to control the flow of electricity in electronic equipment and usually consists of a small block of a semiconductor (such as germanium) with at least three electrodes. 2 : a transistorized radio.
How does a transistor amplify?
A transistor acts as an amplifier by raising the strength of a weak signal. The DC bias voltage applied to the emitter base junction, makes it remain in forward biased condition. Thus a small input voltage results in a large output voltage, which shows that the transistor works as an amplifier.
Why is transistor used?
A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electrical signals and power. Because the controlled (output) power can be higher than the controlling (input) power, a transistor can amplify a signal. Some transistors are packaged individually, but many more are found embedded in integrated circuits.
Who invented transistors?
William Shockley
John BardeenWalter Houser Brattain
Transistor/Inventors
The three physicists who invented the transistor; William Shockley, John Bardeen, and Walter Brattain were awarded with the Nobel Prize. Considering the inventions that the transistor paved the way for, one could argue that it was the most important invention of the twentieth century.
How many junctions does a transistor have?
2 PN Junctions
Hence a transistor has 2 PN Junctions.
How many terminals does a transistor have?
three-terminal
Transistor – a three-terminal device for which the voltage or current at one terminal controls the electrical behavior of the other terminals.