From: into@oblivion.nothing.com   
      
   Phil Hobbs  wrote in   
   news:rtydnWhJLeUJS53SnZ2dnUVZ_vCdnZ2d@supernews.com:   
      
   > On 1/1/2012 11:26 AM, Salmon Egg wrote:   
   >> In article,   
   >>   Phil Hobbs  wrote:   
   >>   
   >>> Well, a small earthquake that sets off a big one would be   
   >>> amplification, no?   
   >>   
   >> I would say NO! It is a trigger.   
   >>   
      
      
      
   > Amplifiers don't have to be linear, they just have to have outputs   
   > larger than their inputs.   
      
      
   Well, this got me to thinking. Just WHAT does a transistor do?   
      
   In the simplest sense, it can be used as a switch. Off - no current   
   flows. On - current flows. The amount that flows just depends on   
   how big the source is (disregarding transistor specs).   
      
   But what happens when a transistor is used as an amplifier?   
   In addition to the two extreme states of on and off, there's   
   also a near infinitude of intermediate states.   
      
   But in all cases, the output cannot be greater than the source   
   supplying it. So even when a transistor is 'amplifying', it's   
   really just switching in more current, controlled by a relatively   
   smaller current.   
      
   So when a small quake "trigger's" a larger quake, could that   
   not be considered a case of a smaller signal switching in the   
   larger potential source?   
      
   I don't know if my wording is clear or not. But my point is,   
   a transistor doesn't really amplify anything either. It's   
   output is entirely due to the input power source being larger   
   the signal or control power.   
      
   Anyway, just some rambling thoughts....   
      
   Brian   
   --   
   http://www.skywise711.com - Lasers, Seismology, Astronomy, Skepticism   
   Sed quis custodiet ipsos Custodes?   
      
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