1 Answer
A MOSFET (Metal-Oxide-Semiconductor Field-Effect Transistor) is an **active** component.
Here's why:
- **Active components** are those that can amplify or control electrical signals, meaning they require an external power supply to operate and can produce energy or control the flow of current.
- **Passive components**, on the other hand, cannot amplify or control signals—they only store or dissipate energy (like resistors, capacitors, and inductors).
A MOSFET acts as a switch or amplifier, allowing current to flow between two terminals (drain and source) based on the voltage applied to the gate terminal. This ability to control current flow with an external voltage means it is an active component.
In simpler terms, a MOSFET can "do work" and change the behavior of electrical circuits, so it’s considered active.
Here's why:
- **Active components** are those that can amplify or control electrical signals, meaning they require an external power supply to operate and can produce energy or control the flow of current.
- **Passive components**, on the other hand, cannot amplify or control signals—they only store or dissipate energy (like resistors, capacitors, and inductors).
A MOSFET acts as a switch or amplifier, allowing current to flow between two terminals (drain and source) based on the voltage applied to the gate terminal. This ability to control current flow with an external voltage means it is an active component.
In simpler terms, a MOSFET can "do work" and change the behavior of electrical circuits, so it’s considered active.