I know transistors replaced vacuum tubes, but do they operate the same way?
2006-11-03 02:05:26 · 3 answers · asked by Anonymous in Science & Mathematics ➔ Engineering
Vacuum tubes are still used for special applications such as microwave ovens. Vacuum tubes operate in a similar general manner to transistors, but vacuum tubes can have multiple gates, can operate at much higher voltages, and generally have much higher impedances.
- An electrical engineer old enough to have actually used vacuum tubes
2006-11-03 02:43:27 · answer #1 · answered by Deep Thought 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Deep Thought's answer is correct. In addition, vacuum tubes are much more resistant to an EMP in the event of a nuclear explosion. Devices based on tubes would still work after semi-conductor circuits are destroyed.
2006-11-03 04:41:08 · answer #2 · answered by Cirric 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both the other answers are correct, but the biggest difference is that vacuum tubes are basically voltage amplifiers. Transistors are mostly current amplifers.
2006-11-03 05:00:33 · answer #3 · answered by wires 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋