Question
Physics Question on Semiconductor electronics: materials, devices and simple circuits
The minimum potential difference between the base and emitter required to switch a silicon transistor ON is approximately
A
1 V
B
3 V
C
5 V
D
4.2 V
Answer
1 V
Explanation
Solution
To switch on the transistor, the emitter-base junction of a transistor is forward biased while collector-base junction is reverse biased. The cut-off voltage for silicon is 1V, so to switch on a silicon transistor a potential difference of 1V approximately is required between the base and emitter.