Question

A transistor is essentially

• A. a voltage-operated device
• B. resistance operated device
• C. a current operated device
• D. power-driven device

Answer 1

The correct option is C

a current operated device

Transistor:

1. A bipolar transistor generates a large collector current by amplifying a small current entering the base, because the collector current is controlled by the base current, it is a current-driven device.
2. The collector-emitter voltage affects the current gain.
3. A bipolar transistor provides a gain known as a DC current gain in the active region shown in the right-hand figure. Regardless of the collector-emitter voltage, the collector current remains nearly constant in this region.
4. In the saturation region, on the other hand, a bipolar transistor has a DC current gain of only 10 to 20, and the collector current varies significantly with collector-emitter voltage.

Therefore, a transistor is essentially a current-operated device.