Let us now, try to understand the working of a transistor using the pnp transist

or as an example. In a pnp transistor, the p-type semiconductor, which is most h

eavily doped is the emitter, the n type semiconductor is the base and the other
p-type semiconductor is the collector. The n-type semiconductor, which is sandwi
ched in between the two p-type semiconductors is very small in dimension. Now, i
n a pnp semiconductor, the emitter base junction is forward biased (p-type semic
onductor is connected to the positive terminal of the battery and the n-type sem
iconductor is connected to the negative terminal of the battery). The collector
base junction on the other hand is reverse biased (n-type semiconductor is conne
cted to the positive terminal of the battery and p-type semiconductor is connect
ed to the negative terminal of the battery). The forward biased emitter-base jun
ction of a semiconductor works very similar to that of a forward biased p-n junc
tion diode. Know more on how does a diode work.
Now the holes, or the positively charged carriers in the p-type semiconductor ar
e repelled by the positive terminal and enter the base on increasing the emitter
base voltage beyond a certain threshold level. Once these holes enter the base,
they combine with the electrons in the base. Out of every 100 holes, approximat
ely 5 holes combine with the electrons in the base of the semiconductor. The bas
e being very thin, the remaining holes are transferred to the collector. The hol
es in the collector are attracted towards the negative terminal of the battery b
etween the collector and the base. This causes the collector current. Thus, the
flow of current in a pnp transistor from the emitter to the collector. Now the q
uestion is how can a transistor be used as an amplifier. A simple change in the
base voltage can cause large changes of current in the transistor. The various f
unctions of a transistor include its applications as amplifiers and switches for
the very same reasonthe very same reason