LESSON 3

Understanding transistors
Introduction
A transistor consists of a crystal of one type of doped
semiconductor sandwiched between two crystals of
the opposite type.
A transistor is a semiconductor device capable of
amplification in addition to rectification.
It is the basic unit radio, television and computer.

Transistor circuit
A transistor cannot be working without combinining
with others electronic devices such as resistance and
power supply (cell). The combination of thre transistor
, resistor and cell produced transistor circuit.
There are two types of the transistor circuits:
(1)
Transistor circuit I (need two cells)

Types of transistor
There are two types of transistor
(1)
npn transistor
(2)
pnp transistor
Structure ,schematic diagram and symbol of
transistor
A transistor has tree leads; the leads are labelled
(1) Base (B) - Control the flow of charge carriers from
E to C
(2) Collector (C) - Receive charge carriers from E
(3) Emitter (E) Supply charge carriers to C
BE: Base circuit (input)
CE: Collector circuitl(output)
Ib: base current
Ic: collector current
R1: to limit the base current
R2: to limit the collector current
E1: to supply energy to the base circuit
E2: to supply energy to the collector circuit
(2)

Transistor circuit II (need one cell)

Rx and RY : Voltage divider

Working principle of a transistor

VRx =

Rx
x V
( Rx + Ry)

VRY =

Ry
xV
( Rx + Ry)

Example 1
The figure shows a transistor circuit. Resistor P has a
resistance of 10 k. In order to light the bulb , the
potential difference across resistor P must be at least
2V.

(1)
it

The base current is very small (in A) when

compare with the collector current (in mA).
( Ib <<< Ic )
Current amplification = Ic
Ib

(2) A small change in base current, Ib will cause a

big change in the collector current, Ic
( Ib <<< Ic)
What is the maximum value of resistor Q when the
bulb lights?
Solution

(3)

Ie = Ib + Ic
From the working principles above , we
conclude that a transistor functions as a current
amplifier by allowing a small current to control a
larger current.

(4) When R1 = 0 , the base voltage VR1 = 0.

The base current does not flow and the
collector current als does not flow.
Ib = 0 and IC = 0
(5) When the resistance of R1 is increased, the
base voltage will increase until the base

voltage exceeds a certain minimum value,

the base current flows and cause a large
collector current flows.
From the working principles above , we
conclude that a transistor functions as an
automatic switch,so that the transistor turned
ON or OFF.

(2) The transistor as a light controlled switch

(6) When there is no Ic flowing in the collector

circuit , Ib still flows in the collector circuit.
(Ic = 0 hence Ib 0 )
(7) A transistor has not its own energy. The
energy in a transistor is supplied by the
power supply , such as cell.
Applications of transistors
(1)

The transistor as an amplifier

In bright light, the light-dependent resistor(LDR) has a

very low resistance. Therefore the potential diference
across LDR is low and hence the potential difference
across resistor R is high. The base current flows
and cause a large collector current flows. The bulb
lights up
In darkness , the light-dependent resistor(LDR) has a
very high resistance. Therefore the potential diference
across LDR is high and hence the potential difference
across resistor R is low. The base current does not
flow and cause the collector current does not flow.
The bulb not lights up.
If the positions of the LDR and R are interchanged,
the bulb is switched on in the dark and off in the bright
light.
(3) The transistor as a tempearture controlled
switch

When a person speaks into a microphone,

sound waves are converted into an alternating
current .
The small changes in the base circuits cause
the base current flows.
A small change in base current, will cause a big
change in the collector current.
The earphone thus receives a large alternating
current from the collector circuit and converts it
into a loud sound.
The capacitor blocks a steady current (direct
current) from flowing into the transistor and
microphone.

When the thermistor is cold, it has a larger resistance

than R. Therefore the potential diference across
thermistor is high and hence the potential difference
across resistor R is low. The base current does not
flow and cause the collector current does not flow.
The bulb not lights up.

When the temperature rises,the resistance of

thermistor falls and the bulb lights up.