Could someone please explain this circuit in detail and what the effect of changing transistors and capacitors would have on the circuit? This is for Year 12 Physics. Thank you all!

 

Since this looks like a class project/problem, lets start by asking YOU some questions. What can you tell us about RC time constants? What do you mean by "changing transistors"? Do you know what the overall circuit is called?

 

Since this looks like a class project/problem, lets start by asking YOU some questions. What can you tell us about RC time constants? What do you mean by "changing transistors"? Do you know what the overall circuit is called?

Very sassy, but fair enough. It is called a RC flashing light circuit (I think). By "changing transistors" I forgot that you can only change their type, but that would stop the circuit from working so never mind that, sorry. Resistor and Capacitor time constant refers to the strength of the resistor in conjunction with the size of the capacitor, which can either increase or decrease the time it takes for the current to pass through (between the time it takes to pass through the resistor and the time it takes to fill or charge the capacitor). Thanks for the reply!

 

Okay, good enough so far.

Next, what do you know about the behavior of transistors? What different operating regions do they have and what determines what region they are in?

Part of what we are trying to do is determine where you are at in your study of these components and circuits so that we can better help you expand your knowledge base.

The circuit is generally called an "astable multivibrator" and is one form of oscillator circuit.

 

There are many explanations of how such a multivibrator works to be found online with a simple Google search.

 

Okay, good enough so far.

Next, what do you know about the behavior of transistors? What different operating regions do they have and what determines what region they are in?

Part of what we are trying to do is determine where you are at in your study of these components and circuits so that we can better help you expand your knowledge base.

The circuit is generally called an "astable multivibrator" and is one form of oscillator circuit.

Hey, I don't really know much about transistors, just that you can get to types, PNP and NPN, not sure what that really means though... Yeah I don't really know all that much about circuits but I understand where you are coming from though. Thanks for the name of the circuit as well!

 

Recently some one asked similar question and here's the link

https://forum.allaboutcircuits.com/...or-relaxation-oscillator.141136/#post-1190365

If you search further is this forum under HomeWorkHelp and Chat with the keywords "astable and multivibtator", you'll get more explanations on how this type of circuits work.

Allen