Question

What issue did transistors solve?

Answer 1

Transistor :-

A transistor is a semiconductor device used to amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is composed of semiconductor material usually with at least three terminals for connection to an external circuit.

The transistor as an amplifier:-

A transistor can be used to amplify current. This is because a small change in base current causes a large change in collector current.  Example is a microphone.

The transistor as switch:-

In a transistor, no current can flow in the collector circuit unless a current flows in the base circuit. This property allows a transistor to be used as switch.The transistor can be turned on or off by changing the base.Example:- Light-Operated Switch,

Heat-operated switch.

Integrated Circuits :-

An integrated circuit (IC) consists of transistors, resistors, diodes and capacitors combined together in one wafer-thin chip of silicon.The microchip is only a few millimeters square with a thickness of 0.5 mm.

Advantages of an IC:

a. Consumes a small amount of electrical energy.

b. Very little heat is generated.

c. Occupies a small space which reduces the size of circuits.

d. Can be built at low cost.