### BJT (Bipolar Junction Transistor)
A **BJT** is a type of transistor that uses both electron and hole charge carriers. It is called "bipolar" because it involves both types of charge carriers: **electrons** (negative) and **holes** (positive). BJTs are mainly used for **amplification** or **switching** applications.
There are two main types of BJTs:
1. **NPN Transistor**: The current flows from the collector to the emitter when it is turned on.
2. **PNP Transistor**: The current flows from the emitter to the collector when it is turned on.
In a BJT, there are three main regions:
- **Emitter (E)**: The region where current enters the transistor.
- **Base (B)**: The middle region that controls the flow of current.
- **Collector (C)**: The region where current leaves the transistor.
BJTs can be used for:
- **Amplifying small signals** (like in audio amplifiers).
- **Switching applications** (turning devices on or off).
### FET (Field Effect Transistor)
A **FET** is a type of transistor that uses an electric field to control the flow of current. Unlike BJTs, which are **current-controlled**, FETs are **voltage-controlled**. This means the current through the FET is controlled by the voltage applied to its gate terminal.
There are two main types of FETs:
1. **Junction FET (JFET)**: The current is controlled by a reverse-biased junction.
2. **Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor FET (MOSFET)**: The most commonly used FET. It has three terminals: **Gate (G)**, **Drain (D)**, and **Source (S)**.
FETs are used for:
- **Amplification** (especially in low-power applications).
- **Switching** (like in digital logic circuits and power supplies).
### Key Differences:
- **Control Mechanism**: BJT is current-controlled, while FET is voltage-controlled.
- **Power Consumption**: FETs usually consume less power compared to BJTs.
- **Input Impedance**: FETs typically have higher input impedance than BJTs, which makes them ideal for high-impedance applications.
### Summary:
- **BJT** is good for high current gain and is used in analog circuits like amplifiers.
- **FET** is better for high input impedance applications, and it is commonly used in digital circuits and power control.