Which of the following is an example of active component?
1 Answer
An **active component** is a type of electronic component that requires an external power source to operate. These components can amplify signals, control voltages, or perform some type of energy conversion. They generally have the ability to control the flow of current in a circuit, and this ability is typically achieved through the use of an external power supply.
Some common examples of active components include:
1. **Transistors** (e.g., bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs)): These are widely used in amplification and switching applications. A transistor requires a small input current or voltage to control a larger output current, making it an active component.
2. **Diodes** (specifically, **Zener diodes**, **Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)**, and **Photodiodes**): While regular diodes are often considered passive, special diodes such as Zener diodes and LEDs are classified as active components because they can regulate or emit energy in the form of light or other signals when powered by an external source.
3. **Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)**: These are integrated circuits that amplify voltage signals. They require an external power supply and can perform a wide range of tasks such as amplification, filtering, and mathematical operations in circuits.
4. **Integrated Circuits (ICs)**: Many ICs, such as microcontrollers, microprocessors, and analog-to-digital converters, are active components because they require power to operate and can process or control electrical signals.
### Example:
- **Transistor**: When used in a switching application, a transistor controls the flow of current to a load (like a motor or light). By applying a small base current to a transistor (for a BJT), the transistor allows a much larger current to flow through the collector-emitter path. Without external power, this action would not occur, which is why the transistor is considered an active component.
In contrast, **passive components** (like resistors, capacitors, and inductors) do not require an external power source to perform their functions. They only store, dissipate, or passively react to electrical signals.
So, any device that requires external power to function, and has the ability to control the flow of electricity or modify a signal, is an active component.
Some common examples of active components include:
1. **Transistors** (e.g., bipolar junction transistors (BJTs), field-effect transistors (FETs)): These are widely used in amplification and switching applications. A transistor requires a small input current or voltage to control a larger output current, making it an active component.
2. **Diodes** (specifically, **Zener diodes**, **Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs)**, and **Photodiodes**): While regular diodes are often considered passive, special diodes such as Zener diodes and LEDs are classified as active components because they can regulate or emit energy in the form of light or other signals when powered by an external source.
3. **Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps)**: These are integrated circuits that amplify voltage signals. They require an external power supply and can perform a wide range of tasks such as amplification, filtering, and mathematical operations in circuits.
4. **Integrated Circuits (ICs)**: Many ICs, such as microcontrollers, microprocessors, and analog-to-digital converters, are active components because they require power to operate and can process or control electrical signals.
### Example:
- **Transistor**: When used in a switching application, a transistor controls the flow of current to a load (like a motor or light). By applying a small base current to a transistor (for a BJT), the transistor allows a much larger current to flow through the collector-emitter path. Without external power, this action would not occur, which is why the transistor is considered an active component.
In contrast, **passive components** (like resistors, capacitors, and inductors) do not require an external power source to perform their functions. They only store, dissipate, or passively react to electrical signals.
So, any device that requires external power to function, and has the ability to control the flow of electricity or modify a signal, is an active component.