pnp vs npn?

[indulis]

I know exactly what you mean and what your trying to say, but for the benefit of those that are not "well versed"...

I don't think about electrons when I have a transistor circuit. I see a resistor supplying base current to turn the transistor on and something that stops the base current to turn it off.

Current is electrons and resistors don't supply current, they limit current.

[pebe]

I know exactly what you mean and what your trying to say, but for the benefit of those that are not "well versed"...

I don't think about electrons when I have a transistor circuit. I see a resistor supplying base current to turn the transistor on and something that stops the base current to turn it off.

Current is electrons and resistors don't supply current, they limit current.

You are splitting hairs. Audioguru is right.

Base current is controlled by the value of the base bias resistor. Current through the base emitter junction will cause a collector current equal to base current times beta. Both of those currents will flow through the emitter.

It makes no difference whether the device is NPN or PNP.

[indulis]

Base current is controlled by the value of the base bias resistor. Current through the base emitter junction will cause a collector current equal to base current times beta. Both of those currents will flow through the emitter.

It makes no difference whether the device is NPN or PNP.

Yes, I agree 1000% with that!

This isn't splitting hairs... if you were taking a test, do you think the Professor would let you slide if you were to answer a question by saying... turning transistors on and off it isn't done with electrons, its done with current... ? Do you think that would be an acceptable answer for full credit? For individuals who know, it's no big deal, they understand and make the connection, but for those that are just learning it's a very big deal.

[audioguru]

Maybe schoolkids need to add and remove electrons at the base of a transistor, but in the real world a transistor is controlled by the amount of its base current.