Components

I think you'll need to be prepared to read stuff as well as use video. Most of the tutorial material I see on YouTube is very weak.

Give us an idea of the level you are at and I'll attempt to suggest some reading.

BTW - do you want to know how things actually work or just what they do and how to use them  - (for most purposes it doesn't much matter how a MOSFET or Transistor works - you just need to know what it does).

How do transistors work? - Explain that Stuff  is  a start but very general.

MK

Thank You,

I appreciate it, and have read it repeatedly (as is necessary for me, as it is difficult for me to learn in this manner).  I am an audio/visual/application based learner.  I have to read things repeatedly (until my mind will absorb it, meaning that sometimes I just stare at the page.  This is why I try so hard to find videos on the topics.  they don't need to comprise the curriculum for undergrad in Electrical Engineering.  I am just hoping that people will realize that a centralized website which gives video on ALL of the basic components, AND how they work, keep us at a website almost dependently for ALL of our needs...

...the moment we look elsewhere, we have a large opportunity to drift off and buy from wherever we drifted to.

Please keep us here.  Show us how basic components work.  Otherwise the site shows us (metaphorically) all of the awesome things we could build with legos, if we know how legos work...

...Unfortunately, due to some of our imperfections, we need a little better understanding of how legos click together.

For those who know how to accomplish such "simple tasks", please demonstrate on video.  This will allow all of us to rapidly build and grow a legion of Lego awe, causing the world to tremble...

...And, each captain of "Maker" Industry built by Element 14, due to this "catalyst" for understanding will be forever loyal to the site which took us from NOTHING, into being able to comprehend enough to experiment and learn with the basics.  AND, we will have learned at ONE place...

...ELEMENT14!!!

:-D

Use google. , try this playlist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MVy_MG0X2h4&list=PLA9212719342ED971

Nick!!!...Dude!!!!... Really awesome that you replied.  You're the only one who has not thrown any useless comments at me on the internet so far.  I really appreciate it.  :-D

That video made a lot of sense for use as a switch.  The main thing that I am unclear of however was unfortunately not covered.  How are transistors used for amplification?

The small audio signal turns the transistor on and off really fast which lets the higher voltage go low and high fast enough so that it reproduces the sound only louder because of the higher voltage. If that didn't make any sense check out these videos. They helped me when I didn't understand transistors. I know what it's like to not understand transistors. You look everywhere online, you ask everyone on forums, it's a pain.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mDUTTLCM2K8

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8hqr5X5ii0

Tell me if you have anymore questions

Nick

Transistors are the pulleys of the mechanical world. They use small current to allow more current to flow through semiconductors. In fact these are essential for modern day computers using billions to make a chip like Intel.

Nick, somehow I missed your second post yesterday. I watched them last night, and they were both extremely helpful.  I believe that I now grasp the general concept.

However, looking at the diagrams, I see things labeled as "input".  Is "Input" supposed to be positive or negative?  You noted something about "Audio Signals" earlier, but I have no knowledge of audio or anything else yet.

I am simply attempting to understand basics before ripping open a breadboard to start trying things as I learn. :-)

Well, an audio signal is positive and negative. It is like the AC power in your house. Its alternating so the answer is both. Positive and Negative.

Here is another video.

https://www.coursera.org/course/audiomusicengpart1

Sorry Nick this does not ring true  (pun intended). From Wikipedia:

Audio signals are sound waves—longitudinal waves which travel through air, consisting of compressions and rarefactions

But if you are talking about analog signals, I can agree partially what you say. Again from wikipedia:

Thus, an analog signal is one represented by a continuous stream of data, in this case along an electrical circuit in the form of voltage, current or charge changes (compare with digital signals below). Analog signal processing (ASP) then involves physically altering the continuous signal by changing the voltage or current or charge via various electrical means.

Since either voltage or current can change can change. If you look at electrical circuits it is important to note which way some components affect the electrical characteristics (voltage or current).

Check out https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_signal_processing for more details since I only used some of the material here.

Thanks,

Clem

Oh, I guess your right. Sorry.