What are active and passive components?

Electronics is a fundamental technology field that underpins our modern world. The key components of electronic products are active components and passive components. These components are essential for the proper functioning of electronic devices, whether they are as simple as a light bulb or as complex as a computer.

Active components:

Active components are those that require external energy to operate. They amplify or modify signals and can control electrical current. Active components include transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits.

Transistors are the most common active components used in many electronic circuits. They act as switches, amplifiers, and voltage regulators in different circuits. Transistors can be divided into two types: bipolar junction transistors (BJTs) and field-effect transistors (FETs).

A diode is another active component used to control the flow of electricity in a circuit. They allow current to flow in one direction and prevent current to flow in the opposite direction. Diodes are used in rectifiers, voltage regulators, and other circuits where current needs to be controlled.

An integrated circuit (IC) is a collection of transistors and other components on a single chip. They are used in computers, microcontrollers, memory chips, and other complex electronic devices. ICs enable the production of smaller, more efficient, and more reliable electronic devices.

Passive components:

Passive components are those that do not require external energy to operate. They simply respond to the input signal without amplifying or modifying it. Passive components include resistors, capacitors, and inductors.

A resistor is a device that blocks the flow of current and provides a voltage drop when current passes through it. They are used in a variety of circuits to control current flow, adjust signal levels, and protect sensitive components from damage due to excessive current flow.

A capacitor is a device that stores electrical charge and produces a voltage across it. They are used in filtering circuits to remove noise and interference from signals, as well as in timing circuits and other applications requiring charge storage.

An inductor is a device that stores magnetic energy and resists changes in electrical current. They are used in filter circuits, transformers, and other applications that require magnetic fields to control electric current or generate voltage.

Active and passive components are important components of electronic products. Active components such as transistors, diodes, and integrated circuits control and modify signal flow, while passive components such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors provide necessary functions such as impedance matching, filtering, and energy storage. Understanding the role and operation of these components is critical to designing and building efficient and reliable electronic circuits.