Electronic – Using a Transistor to “Fully” Illuminate a Lamp

transistors

Consider the following:

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In the diagram, \$R_C\$ is resistance offered by the lamp, which is \$240\Omega\$. The emitter is at \$0V\$, though this is not marked in the diagram.

Question. I do not understand the line which reads

Thus, \$100mA\$ of collector current must flow through the transistor to fully illuminate the lamp.

What is meant by "fully illuminate"? Does it mean that the maximum current that can possibly flow through the lamp in the circuit is \$100mA\$?

If my interpretation is correct, then I am not able to undersand the reson behind it. If we choose \$R_B\$ very small, then the base current is high. Thus so is the collector current.

Can somebody plese clarify.

PS: I am a math major who is trying to learn some electronics during the summer vacations. I hope I haven't asked a stupid question.

Best Answer

What is meant by "fully illuminate"? Does it mean that the maximum current that can possibly flow through the lamp in the circuit is 100mA?

It's slightly sloppy wording. The reasoning employed by the question is: "If the transistor was replaced by a short circuit between the collector and emitter, how much current would flow?" In that situation, the lamp would have 100mA flowing through it. Therefore we declare that this is the maximum current that would be seen if there was a transistor there.

This figure can be used to (a) determine the base current required and (b) pick a transistor of appropriate size.

If my interpretation is correct, then I am not able to undersand the reson behind it. If we choose RB very small, then the base current is high. Thus so is the collector current.

No matter how much current you put through the base, the collector current is still limited by Ohm's law applying to the lamp.