How Transistors Work - A Quick and Basic Explanation

Do you know how transistors work? What is it about transistors that make them the building block of so many electronic items, like computer, laptops, smartphones and tablets these days?

What is a transistor? The transistor is arguably the greatest invention of the last century, or perhaps, one of the greatest of all time. If it wasn't for transistors, we couldn't have developed smaller, faster and cheaper computers, telephones, GPS devices, radios, gaming consoles, smart televisions, routers and a device -- no larger than a human hand -- that integrates all these marvels under the same screen.

This is a short, layman explanation of what is a transistor and how it works.

#science #animation #transistor

References:
Book: The Quantum Universe: Everything that can happen does happen

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[codmlover]

Thanku. I couldn't understand it still but I know you tried your best.

[tristunalekzander]

That was the best explanation I've seen so far. A lot of people don't even describe it as a switch, which it is. It is an ingenious way of switching something on and off with no moving parts, no more, no less.

[Pipolag]

I'm an engineer and only after watching this do I now understand how a transistor actually works lol phenomenal explanation

[Cookieofdoom]

Looked for soundtrack to the game Transistor, and fell over this. I really didn't know what a Transistor was but now I do! Thanks!

[RRyan]

I'm still a little iffy on how the physics in the transistor work, but now I got a pretty good idea about the design. This video is informative but short and concise. Good video.

[Brainstorm]

Great explanation building on semiconductors. I've heard this before but always forget it again, haha.

[lakshmansagar]

The best and clean explanation of transistors so far. It would be good if you do another video on microprocessors too

[pangea]

I normally hate the "water"/"eletricity" metaphor (for explaining things like voltage), but in this case I find it very helpful. Next question: "How the HELL did anybody ever figure this out over seventy years ago?"

[copernicofelinis]

source gate and drain are terms used for field effect transistors. you are describing bipolar transistors and the terms are emitter base and collector.

[itskittyme]

There is really something wrong with education when I understand more from a 5-minute video, than the same information packed in a course of a few weeks....

[jimbeam]

Best thing I have watched on YouTube in awhile.

[alienrenders]

Flashlights? I don't think so. Maybe LED flashlights.

[kwiz]

By far the best explanation of transistors

[TraumaER]

This is the best video on this topic ever made. 💯

[maxwarfield]

Max Warfield
Complete noob here. This is a good example of what, I'm not quite sure I understand, see, often you'll see an NPN BJT with that little arrow pointing away from the emitter, right? But the direction of the arrow of the collector isn't shown [tho we know, it is pointing away from the collector - NPN = Never Pointing iN]. So, my question is: HOW does current travel in the opposite direction of the "imaginary" arrow of the collector, when the current at the base, allows it? It's my understanding that current can only travel one way, in a diode, an NOT the other. And, a BJT is basically 2 diodes back to back, right? So, please explain this to me, I want to learn. Great video - make more. Cheers!

[davidduncan]

2019 Your explanation of the transistor works is the best one on youtube.

[Don_ron]

oh my god this was amazing I can actually go back and understand my class notes

[Ahmed-Afkir]

Very Very clear explanation Thanks for this

[mjg]

You showed a straight line for a graph of Moore's law, which is a parabola (exponent). Also, you show it going well into the future and Moore's law has come to an effective end.

[mln]

Awesome video!!

Showed the symbol of a BJT but explained with a FET though.