In electrical engineering, components are classified as either active or passive based on their functionality and ability to control electrical signals.
Active Components:
An active component in a circuit is a part that needs power to work and can control the flow of electricity. It can amplify signals.
Examples: Transistors, Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps), Battery(Source) etc.
Active components are fundamental in modern electronic systems, like amplifiers, radios, and computers, where signal manipulation and control are necessary.
Passive Components:
A passive component is a part that doesn’t need power to work. It can’t control or boost electricity but can do other things like Store energy, Dissipate energy etc.
Examples: Resistor, Inductor, Capacitor etc.
Passive components play a crucial role in stabilizing and supporting the performance of circuits by controlling current and voltage levels.
Difference between Active and Passive Components:
| Active Components | Passive Component |
| Requires external power to operate | Does not require external power |
| Can amplify, control, or switch signals | Cannot amplify, only store or dissipate energy |
| Can add energy to a circuit | Cannot add energy, only dissipate or store it |
| Examples: Transistors, Diodes, Operational Amplifiers (Op-Amps), Battery(Source) etc. | Examples: Resistor, Inductor, Capacitor etc. |
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