Final answer:
The solid-state timer likely referred to is the 555 timer, which uses a constant power source and an RC circuit to time voltage pulses that change the contact state upon receiving a trigger. A steady state in such circuits is achieved when the current stops as the capacitor becomes fully charged. Advanced applications of this concept include solid-state radiation detectors that convert ionization into electrical signals in semiconductors.
Step-by-step explanation:
The solid-state timer you are referring to is most likely the 555 timer, a device widely used in electronics for providing timed voltage pulses. The timer requires constant power to operate its internal electronics. When a trigger signal is received, the timer begins its timing period, which is often controlled using an RC circuit. The RC circuit determines the time between voltage pulses through the relationship between Resistance (R) and Capacitance (C), which defines the timing interval.
Once the timing period is complete, the contacts of the timer change state. They remain in this activated state as long as the trigger signal persists, and they revert to their normal state once the trigger signal is removed.
In electronics, when a switch is closed for an extended period, or a valve remains open in the analogy of a water circuit, the current or water flow eventually stops as the capacitor (or membrane in the water circuit analogy) becomes fully charged. At this point, the system reaches a steady state, where the characteristics do not change over time.
Solid-state radiation detectors are examples of devices that use semiconductor properties to convert ionization into an electrical signal. They demonstrate how semiconductors that allow current to flow in only one direction can create very sophisticated detection systems that are highly efficient in stopping ionizing radiation.