Final answer:
Amplification and switching are the two main functions of a transistor. In audio systems, they amplify signals to drive speakers, and in digital electronics, they act as on-off switches for binary code in integrated circuits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Amplification and switching are the two main operating functions of the transistor. In the context of an audio amplifier, the transistor can amplify a signal from a microphone to drive a loudspeaker. Sound waves cause the microphone diaphragm to move, which generates a small voltage that controls the transistor. This acts as a valve, allowing a larger current to flow to the loudspeaker when positive voltage is applied (diaphragm in) and stopping the current when negative voltage is applied (diaphragm out), thus amplifying the sound. Similarly, in digital electronics, the transistor functions as an on-off switch, controlling digital signals in devices like computers. Integrated circuits utilize many such transistors to handle binary code, playing a crucial role in the modern computer revolution.
Understanding the response of a p-n junction to forward and reverse bias voltages is essential as it underpins the working of transistors in both audio amplifiers and computers. The function generator in an audio system can control the amplitude and frequency of the sound, which is a representation of how the various components of an electric circuit, including the transistor, work together to manipulate the audio signal.