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Meatbot
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Just curious. For some odd reason, I don't seem to get it.
Perfect. Thanks.mgb_phys said:How simple do you want?
In the simplest terms it acts like a (water/gas) valve - a small current into the base is used to control how much of a much bigger current flows between the other two pins.
mgb_phys said:That's why the glass things, used before transistors were invented, were called valves - because they worked exactly like a tap/faucet.
Danger said:Hey, Berkeyboy... remember when the neighbourhood gas stations and drug stores used to have vacuum tube testers so you could figure out why your TV wasn't working?
As mgb_phys correctly asserts, they are also commonly called "valves" (coined by Ambrose Fleming, abbreviation for http://www.marconicalling.com/museum/html/events/events-i=39-s=0.html). By the way, those valves work as perfectly today, as they did back in Danger's day.berkeman said:"glass things" -- LOL. AKA "vacuum tubes" :rofl:
That is my understanding..mgb_phys said:Is valves only a British term - are they known as tubes in the US?
Ouabache said:As mgb_phys correctly asserts, they are also commonly called "valves" (coined by Ambrose Fleming, abbreviation for http://www.marconicalling.com/museum/html/events/events-i=39-s=0.html). By the way, those valves work as perfectly today, as they did back in Danger's day.
I recently restored a broadcast receiver that uses several valves. It sounds great across the AM and SW bands and looks a lot like http://oak.cats.ohiou.edu/~postr/bapix/Magnav1.htm .
A transistor works by using an input voltage to control the flow of current between its two other terminals. When a small current is applied to the base terminal, it allows a larger current to flow between the collector and emitter terminals. This creates an "on" or "off" state, acting as a switch.
Transistors are typically made from semiconducting materials such as silicon or germanium. These materials have properties that allow for the controlled flow of electric current.
A transistor amplifies a signal by using a small input current to control a larger output current. This is achieved through the use of a bias voltage and the transistor's structure, which allows for the amplification of the input signal.
The main difference between these two types of transistors is their structure and how they function. A BJT uses both electron and hole carriers to control the flow of current, while a MOSFET uses only one type of carrier (either electrons or holes). Additionally, the BJT has three terminals (base, collector, and emitter) while a MOSFET has four terminals (gate, drain, source, and body).
The invention of the transistor revolutionized the field of electronics and has had a huge impact on modern technology. Transistors are used in a wide range of devices such as computers, televisions, smartphones, and more. They have allowed for smaller, faster, and more efficient electronic devices, leading to the development of new technologies and industries.