Transistor Characteristics

A transistor is a three-terminal electronic device that can amplify or switch electronic signals and electrical power. It is composed of three layers of semiconductor material: the emitter, the base, and the collector. The behavior of a transistor can be described by its input and output characteristics.

Collector Current vs Emitter Voltage

The collector current (IC) of a transistor is the current flowing through the collector terminal, and the emitter voltage (VE) is the voltage applied to the emitter terminal. The relationship between IC and VE is determined by the transistor's characteristics.

In this case, we are given the collector current at two different emitter voltages:

- IC = 5mA when VE = 20mV
- IC = 30mA when VE = 30mV

We need to find the collector current when the emitter voltage is 50mV.

Plotting the Data

To analyze the characteristics of the transistor, we can plot the given data points on a graph. The x-axis represents the emitter voltage (VE), and the y-axis represents the collector current (IC). We can draw a line connecting the two data points to determine the relationship between IC and VE.

Interpolating the Data

Using the given data points, we can interpolate the collector current at VE = 50mV.

From the graph, the slope of the line connecting the two data points is (30mA - 5mA) / (30mV - 20mV) = 2mA/mV. This slope represents the change in collector current per unit change in emitter voltage.

To find the collector current at VE = 50mV, we can use the formula:

IC = IC1 + (VE - VE1) * slope

where IC1 and VE1 are the values at the first data point.

IC = 5mA + (50mV - 20mV) * 2mA/mV
= 5mA + 30mV * 2mA/mV
= 5mA + 60mA
= 65mA

Therefore, the collector current when the emitter voltage is 50mV is 65mA.