Skip to main content
Ch. 40 - Molecules and Solids
Giancoli Douglas - Physics for Scientists and Engineers 5th edition
Giancoli Douglas5th editionPhysics for Scientists and EngineersISBN: 9780137488179Not the one you use?Change textbook
Chapter 37, Problem 61

If the current gain of the transistor amplifier in Fig. 40–49 is β = ic/iB = 95, what value must Rc have if a 1.0-μA ac base current is to produce an ac output voltage of 0.40 V?

Verified step by step guidance
1
Identify the relationship between the base current (iB), collector current (iC), and the current gain (β). The formula is: icC=β×iBB. Use this to calculate the collector current.
Determine the relationship between the output voltage (Vout), the collector current (iC), and the collector resistor (Rc). The formula is: Voutout=iCC×Rcc. Rearrange this equation to solve for Rc: Rcc=VoutoutiCC.
Substitute the given values into the formula for iC. Use β=95 and iBB=1.0µA to calculate iCC.
Substitute the calculated value of iC and the given output voltage Voutout=0.40V into the formula for Rc to find its value.
Verify the units of Rc to ensure they are consistent (ohms, Ω). Double-check the calculations to confirm the result is reasonable and matches the problem's requirements.

Verified video answer for a similar problem:

This video solution was recommended by our tutors as helpful for the problem above.
Video duration:
2m
Was this helpful?

Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Transistor Current Gain (β)

The current gain of a transistor, denoted as β (beta), is the ratio of the collector current (ic) to the base current (iB). It indicates how effectively a transistor can amplify current; a higher β means greater amplification. In this question, β = 95 implies that for every 1 μA of base current, the collector current will be 95 μA, which is crucial for determining the output voltage.
Recommended video:
Guided course
05:38
Intro to Current

Output Voltage (Vout)

The output voltage in a transistor amplifier is the voltage across the load resistor (Rc) due to the amplified collector current. It is calculated using Ohm's Law (V = IR), where I is the collector current. In this scenario, the desired output voltage is 0.40 V, which must be achieved by selecting an appropriate value for Rc based on the amplified current from the base input.
Recommended video:
Guided course
07:14
RMS Current and Voltage

Load Resistor (Rc)

The load resistor (Rc) in a transistor circuit is connected to the collector and is essential for converting the amplified current into a usable output voltage. The value of Rc directly affects the output voltage; a higher Rc will result in a higher output voltage for a given collector current. To find the correct Rc value, one must consider the relationship between the collector current, the desired output voltage, and Ohm's Law.
Recommended video:
Guided course
04:11
Phasors for Resistors