TOPIC: ELECTRONICS

4.3 UNDERSTANDING TRANSISTORS

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT:

Transistor

1. A simple junction transistor consists of a crystal of one type of doped

semiconductor which is sandwiched between two crystal of opposite type

npn transistor pnp transistor

p-type semiconductor sandwiched with n-type n-type semiconductor sandwiched with p-

semiconductor type semiconductor
 2. Current flows in transistor

i. Based current, Ib controlled the collector current, Ic

ii. If Ib = 0, so Ic = 0
iii. Small change on Ib caused the big changes in Ic.

3. transistor as current amplifier

Switch S is off Switch S is on

Ib = 0, so Ic = 0 There is a small current at base Ib. This will
Ib = Base current cause a large current in the collector, Ic.
Ic = Collector current
 4. transistor as automatic switch

Fire alarm system

At room temperature When the fire is on, the temperature is increased

At room temperature Fire is on

Thermistor resistance is high Temperature of thermistor increases
Potential difference between XY is high Resistance of thermistor is reduced
Potential difference between YZ is low Vxy is low
Ib is very small Vyz is high
Ic is small Ib increased
Ic cannot turn on the relay Ic increased and turned on the relay
Bell is not activated Bell is ringing

ACTIVITY A:

1. The flow of the _______ current depends on __________ current.

2. Figure below shows a circuit which can be used as an early morning alarm.
The alarm will activate when a light is detected.
(a) (i) Named component R1, L, M and N
R1 :
L :
M :
N :
(ii) What is the function of the resistor R3?

(iii) If the current flowing through N is 0.5 mA and potential difference

crossing the terminals N is 1.0V. How many resistance of R3?

(b) (i) What is the change to R3 resistance when it is exposed to a light?

(ii) What is the changes to the potential difference crossing R1 when it

is exposed to a light?

SOLUTION ACTIVITY A:

1. collector, base

2. (a) (i)
R1 : Light Dependent Resistors (LDR)
L : Diode
M : Relay switch
N : npn transistor

(ii) limited base current

 V 1.0
(iii) R= = = 2 x 10-3 Ω
I 0.0005

(b) (i) R1 resistance decreases

(ii) potential difference across R1 decreases

ACTIVITY B

Figure above shows a transistor used in an electronic alarm system.

(a) What is type of the transistor used?

(b) At room temperature, the thermistor resistance is 2 k Ω. Calculate the

potential difference between :

(i) PR (ii) PQ (iii) QR

(c) Explain a relationship between thermistor resistance and temperature.

(d) When a fire ccured, describe what will happened to :

(i) potential difference across QR

(ii) base current

(iii) collector current

SOLUTION ACTIVITY B:

(a) npn transistor

(b) (i) 6 V

2kΩ
(ii) potential difference PQ = x6V
(10 + 2)kΩ
(iii) potential difference QR =potential difference PR - potential
difference PQ
=6V–1V
=5V

(c) Thermistor resistance decreases when temperature increases

(d) (i) potential difference across QR increases

(ii) base current increases

(iii) collector current increases

ACTIVITY C

In the circuit shown in figure below, a 4700Ω resistor is connected in series

with a light-dependent resistor (LDR), which has a resistance of 3300Ω, and
with a 12 V power supply.

(a) Calculate the current through the LDR.

(b) Calculate the voltage across the LDR.

(c) The resistance of the LDR decreases as brighter light falls on it.
Describe and explain how the voltage across the LDR changes as the
brightness of the light that falls on it increases.
(d) The LDR and resistor are connected to a transistor, as shown in Figure
1.2.
(i) When the LDR is in the dark, lamp L glows brightly. Explain
briefly why this happens.

(ii) When the light on the LDR is bright enough, lamp L does not
glow. Explain briefly why this happens.

SOLUTION ACTIVITY C:

V 12
(a) current = = = 1.5 × 10-3 A
R 4700 + 3300

(b) voltage = IR = 1.5 × 10-3 × 3300 = 5.0 V

(c) As brightness increases, the resistance of the LDR decreases. Since

the arrangement is a potential divider, the voltage across the LDR
decreases.

(d) (i) In the dark, the LDR has a high resistance. The transistor is ‘on’ and
a voltage close to 12 V is now applied across the lamp.

(ii) In the light, the LDR has a low resistance. The transistor is ‘off’
and a voltage close to 0 V is now applied across the lamp.

ASSESSMENT :
Objective Question

1. The diagram shows the symbol for a transistor.

Which of the following shows the correct name of the electrode P and the
type of the transistor?
Electrode P Type of transistor

A Emitter pnp*
B Collector pnp
C Emitter npn
D Collector npn
2. The diagram shows a transistor used as an automatic switch. Bulb P will
light up if potential difference across S is equal or more than 7.2V. In the
beginning, resistance of the light-dependent resistor R is 1 M Q. When
exposed to light, resistance of R decreases.

What is the value of R when P starts to light?

A 200V
B 400V*
C 600V
D 800V
E 900V

3. In which circuit does the bulb light up?

4. In which circuit will the light-emitting diode (LED) light up when switch is
on?

Structured Question

1. Name two main types of transistors and draw their symbols.

(i) (ii)

2. State two uses of transistor.

(i)____________________
(ii)_______________________

3. If there are no flow of the base current, the current collector

is___________
4. A change that __________ in the base current can caused changes
that___________ in the collector current.

5. Figure below shows a light dependent resistor (LDR), resistor R and S, a

light emmiting diod (LED), a transistor and a battery that will be connected
to form a circuit. The LED emmits lights when it is in a bright surroundings.

(a) (i) State one function of a transistor.

__________________________________
[1 mark]

(ii) Complete the circuit

(iii) Give one reason why LED emmits light in a bright

surrounding.
_________________________________________
[2 mark]

(b) What modification is required to the circuit so that the

LED will emmits light when the surrounding become
dark?
_______________________________
[1 mark]

(c) An alarm is needed which emmits sound when there is

a fire. Two modifications have to be made to the circuit
in (a)(ii) by replacing electronic components.
 (i) State one electronic component which needs to be
replaced. Give a reason for your answer.
_____________________________
_____________________ [2 mark]
(ii) Name two electronic component that are needed
to replace the unsuitable components.
____________________________ [2 mark]

(iii) In the space below, draw a circuit diagram to show

the new circuit.

[2 mark]

6. Two similar bulbs, P and Q are connected to a transistor in the base circuit
and collector circuit respectively, as shown in figure below. When S is
switched on, bulb P does not light up but bulb Q light on. Then the base
circuit is connected to two batteries as shown in figure below. When S is
switched on, bulb P lights up but bulb Q lights up more brightly.

Using this information;

a. make one suitable inference, [1 mark]
b. state one appropriate hypothesis that couldnbe investigated,
[1 mark]
c. describe how you would design an experiment to test your
hypothesis using transistor and other apparatus. In your description,
state clearly the following:
(i) aim of the experiment
(j) variables in experiment
(k) list of apparatus and materials
(l) arrangement of the apparatus
(m) the procedure of the experiment, which includes the method
of controlling the manipulated variable and method of
measuring the responding variable
(n) the way you would tabulate the data
(o) the way you would analyse the data
[10 mark]
 Answer (Assessment)
Objective question

1. A
2. B
3. A
4. A

Structured Question

1.

2. (i) transistor as current amplifier

(ii) transistor as automatic switch

3. zero
4. small, big

5. (i) current amplifier

(ii)

(iii) Resistance LDR decrease when the potential difference LDR

decreases. Base current across through S increases

(a) replace the resistance of R with the LDR

 (b) (i) LED are needed to be replaced by electronic component that
can
produce the wave sounds
(ii) Bell and thermistor
(iii)

6. (a) Collector current in a transistor is affected by the base current

[1]
(b) As base current increases by a little amount, the collector current
will increases by a large amount. [1]
(c) (i) to investigate the relationship between collector current and
base current in a transistor. [1]

(ii) variables:
- manipulated : base current
- responding : collector current
- constant : Type of transistor used [1]

(iii) Transistor pnp, resistor R=10kΩ, battery, miliammeter,

microammeter, switch, connecting wire [1]

(iv)

[1]

(v) A battery is connected across MN. The switch is switched on.

Reading of microammeter is recorded. This is the value of base
current Ib. Reading of miliammeter that corresponds is recorded.
This is the value of collector current, Ic.
The experiment is repeated by connecting 2, 3, 4 and 5 bateries
across MN.
The corresponding values of Ib and Ic are recorded. [4]
 (vi)
No. Of battery Base current, Collector current,
Ib/micrometre Ic/milimetre
1
2
3
4
5
[1]

(vii) Graph of collector current, Ic againts base current, Ib is plotted.

Ic

0 Ib

[1]
[10]

mnza
TOPIC: ELECTRONICS

4.4 ANALYSING LOGIC GATES

CHAPTER HIGHLIGHT:

5. Types of logic gates and their truth tables

- Logic gates are electronic devices which have only two output states.
- The potential of the output is either ‘HIGH’ (5 – 6 V) or ‘LOW” (0 V).

Types Characteristi
of logic Logic Boolean Action of logic c of logic
gates symbol expression Truth table gates gates
The output is
input output high if the input The output is
NOT A= Y A Y is not high. The opposite to
0 1 output is always the input. It
1 0 the opposite of is an
the input. inverter.
input output
A B Y The output is If both inputs
AND A • B=Y 0 0 0 high only if input is ‘1’ will give
0 1 0 X and input Y output ‘1’
1 0 0 are high.
1 1 1
input output
A B Y The output is When either;
OR A+B=Y 0 0 0 high when either input is ‘1’,
0 1 1 X or Y or both output is ‘1’
1 0 1 are high.
1 1 1

input output The output is The output is

NAND A• B = Y A B Y not high only if opposite to
0 0 1 input X and the AND
0 1 1 input Y are high. gate output
1 0 1
1 1 0

input output The output is The output is

NOR A+ B = Y A B Y not high if either opposite to
0 0 1 input X or input the OR gate
0 1 0 Y are high. output
1 0 0
1 1 0
 6. Logic gates in combination
i.

The truth table

Input Logical operation Output
C D E F G Y
A B ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝A ⎠ ⎝B ⎠ ⎝B ⎠ ⎝ B, C ⎠ ⎝ D, E ⎠ ⎝ F,G ⎠

0 0 1 0 0 0 1 1
0 1 1 1 1 1 0 1
1 0 0 0 0 0 1 1
1 1 0 1 1 0 0 0

ii.

The truth table

Input Logical operation Output
C D E G H X
A B ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞ ⎛ From ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
⎝A ⎠ ⎝A ⎠ ⎝A ⎠ ⎝ C, D ⎠ ⎝ E, F ⎠ ⎝ G, H ⎠
0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1
0 1 0 0 1 0 1 1
1 0 1 1 0 1 0 1
1 1 1 1 0 1 0 1
7. Application of logic gates

Air conditioner controlling system

Input Output
A B Y
0 0 0
0 1 0
1 0 0
1 1 1

Situation Logic
Input Heat sensor Warm room 1
Cold room 0
Light sensor Day 1
Night 0
Output Air conditioner Switch on 1
Switch off 0

ACTIVITY A:

State types of logic gates given :

 SOLUTION ACTIVITY A:

a. AND gate b. OR gate

c. NOT gate d. NAND gate
e. NOR gate f. NOT gate

ACTIVITY B:

Build gate circuit by using AND, OR and NOT for Boolean expressions
given :
(a) A . B + A.B = Y

(b) A . C + A.B.C = Y

SOLUTION ACTIVITY B:

ASSESSMENT :
Objective Question

1. The diagram shows a logic gates circuit.

A P Q R C P Q R
0 0 1 0 0 0
0 1 0 0 1 1
1 0 1 1 0 0
1 1 0 1 1 1
 B P Q R D P Q R
0 0 0 0 0 0
0 1 1 0 1 1
1 0 1 1 0 1
1 1 0 1 1 0

2. The circuit represents a Boolean algebraic principle with output Z.

Which of the Boolean algebraic expression represents the output Z?

A Z=X • Y C Z=X • Y
B Z=X • Y B Z=X +Y

Structured Question

1. In each logic gates combination given:

(i) State Boolean expression
(ii) Name their logic gate
2.

Figure above shows a combination logic gates in a circuit.

Based from the arrangement, complete the truth table given.

3. A factory producing pesticide uses a logic system to ensure the volume

of pesticide in a plastic bottle is within acceptable range.
Figure below shows the arrangement of the logic system fixed beside a
conveyor belt carrying bottles of pesticide. The radioactive detector, S1
and S2 detect the levels of radiation passing through the bottles.

Detectors S1 and S2 will give input 0 to logic gate system when they
receive a low level of radiation.
Detectors S1 and S2 will give input 1 to logic gate system when they
receive a high level of radiation.
(a) State the level of the pesticide in the bottle if the input S1 is 0.
Give a reason for your answer.
__________________________________________________
 __________________________________________________
[2 mark]
(b) State the level of the pesticide in the bottle if the input S1 is 1.
Give a reason for your answer.
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
[2 mark]

Figure below shows two combinations of logic gates, P and Q that are
suggested to develop the logic gate system.

(c) Name the logic gate M

__________________________________________ [1 mark]

(d) Complete the truth tables for P and Q.

Input S1 Output S2 Output
0 0
1 0
1 1
The truth table of P

Input S1 Output S2 Output

0 0
1 0
1 1
The truth table of Q

[4 mark]

(e) When the output of the logic gate system is 1, it indicates the
volume of the pesticide in the bottle is within the acceptable range.

When the output of the logic gate system is 0, it indicates the

volume of the pesticide in the bottle is outside the acceptable
range.
 (i) Based on the output of the truth tables in (d), which
combination of logic gates is suitable to be used for the
logic gate system?

Combination of logic gate___________________

[1 mark]

(ii) Give two reason for your choice.

1._________________________________________
2._________________________________________
[2 mark]

4. Ali wishes to design a security system in his house as shown in figure

below.
When a person crosses the infrared beam at night, the infrared sensor
will send asignal to a logic gate which then light up a spotlight. The
spotlight has a 240 V alternating current (a.c) supply and will only light
up at night.

The circuit that could help Ali to develop the security system is shown
in figure below.
 (a) If the potential difference across resistor W is 2 V, what is the
potential difference across the infrared sensor?
_________________________________ [1 mark]
(b) Component X has a high resistance when the surroundings are
dark and a low resistance in bright surroundings.
Name the component X.
_________________________________ [1 mark]

(c) Component S is a switch that connects the 240 V a.c spotlight

circuit.
(i) What type of switch is component S?
___________________________ [1 mark]

(ii) Why is component S necessary in the circuit?

___________________________ [1 mark]

(d) The following truth table shows the operation of a logic gate in
the circuit in the circuit in figure above.

Key:
Dark surroundings
Bright surroundings
Person crossing the path
Nobody crossing the path
Switch S is on
Switch S is off
: high input voltage at P, logic’1’
: low input voltage at P, logic’0’
: high input voltage at Q, logic’1’
: low input voltage at Q, logic’0’
: high input voltage at R, logic’1’
: low input voltage at R, logic’0’

Input P Output Q Output R

Surrounding Input voltage Person Input voltage
at P crossing at Q
Bright 0 No 0
Bright Yes
Dark No
Dark Yes
(i) Using the given key, complete the truth table above.
[4 mark]

(ii) Name the logic gate in the circuit in figure above.

______________________________________ [1 mark]

(iii) Sketch the symbol of the logic gate in (d)(ii).

 Answer (Assessment)
Objective question
1. B
2. A

Structured Question

1.

2.

3. (a) Out of the range caused less light received.

(b) Not enough to achieve the range caused high light received.
(c) OR gate
(d)
Input S1 Output S2 Output
0 0 0
1 0 1
1 1 0
The truth table of P

Input S1 Output S2 Output

0 0 1
1 0 1
1 1 1
The truth table of Q
(e) i. Logic gate combination : P
ii. 1. Input S1 1 and input S2 0 in the range
2. Input S1 0 and input S2 0 or Input S1 1 and input S2 1 in
the range
4.
(a) Potential difference = 12-2=10v
(b) X Light Depndent Resistor
(c) i. S relay switch
ii. S is needed to activate the spotlight in the circuit

(d) i.
Input P Output Q
Surrounding Input voltage Person Input voltage Output R
at P crossing at Q
Bright 0 No 0 0
Bright 0 Yes 1 0
Dark 1 No 0 0
Dark 1 Yes 1 1

ii. AND gate

iii.