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Chapter 18: Problem 45

What are the two functions that a transistor may perform in an electronic circuit?

Short Answer

Expert verified
Answer: A transistor can function as an amplifier and a switch in an electronic circuit. As an amplifier, it increases the strength (amplitude) of an input signal, while as a switch, it controls the flow of electrical current between two terminals based on the input signal applied at the third terminal.

Step by step solution

01

Function 1: Amplifier

A transistor can function as an amplifier in an electronic circuit. This means it can increase the strength (amplitude) of an input signal, such as voltage or current. In this role, a small change in the input signal can produce a much larger change in the output signal, making the output signal more powerful than the input signal.
02

Function 2: Switch

A transistor can act as an electronic switch in a circuit. In this function, it can control the flow of electrical current between two terminals, based on the input signal applied at the third terminal. When the input signal reaches a specific threshold, the transistor switches from an "off" state (no current flow between the two terminals) to an "on" state (a current flow between the terminals) or vice versa. This ability to transition between the on and off states allows the transistor to be used in various digital applications, including logic gates and microprocessors.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

For each of the following pairs of semiconductors, decide which has the smaller band gap energy, \(E_{g}\), and then cite the reason for your choice. (a) C (diamond) and Ge (b) AlP and InAs (c) GaAs and \(\mathrm{ZnSe}\) (d) \(\mathrm{ZnSe}\) and \(\mathrm{CdTe}\) (e) \(\mathrm{CdS}\) and \(\mathrm{NaCl}\)

Briefly describe electron and hole motions in a \(p-n\) junction for forward and reverse biases; then explain how these lead to rectification.

An \(n\)-type semiconductor is known to have an electron concentration of \(5 \times 10^{17} \mathrm{~m}^{-3} .\) If the electron drift velocity is \(350 \mathrm{~m} / \mathrm{s}\) in an electric field of \(1000 \mathrm{~V} / \mathrm{m}\), calculate the conductivity of this material.

Germanium to which \(10^{24} \mathrm{~m}^{-3}\) As atoms have been added is an extrinsic semiconductor at room temperature, and virtually all the As atoms may be thought of as being ionized (i.e., one charge carrier exists for each As atom). (a) Is this material \(n\)-type or \(p\)-type? (b) Calculate the electrical conductivity of this material, assuming electron and hole mobilities of \(0.1\) and \(0.05 \mathrm{~m}^{2} / \mathrm{V} \cdot \mathrm{s}\), respectively.

(a) In your own words, explain how donor impurities in semiconductors give rise to free electrons in numbers in excess of those generated by valence band-conduction band excitations. (b) Also, explain how acceptor impurities give rise to holes in numbers in excess of those generated by valence band-conduction band excitations.
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