| Definition |
Components that can amplify power or control current flow |
Components that cannot amplify power but can store or dissipate energy |
| Power Gain |
Can provide power gain |
Cannot provide power gain |
| External Power |
Require an external power source to operate |
Do not require an external power source to operate |
| Functionality |
Can introduce energy into a circuit |
Cannot introduce energy into a circuit |
| Examples |
Transistors, diodes, integrated circuits |
Resistors, capacitors, inductors |
| Signal Control |
Can control the flow of current or voltage |
Cannot control the flow of current or voltage |
| Polarization |
Often polarized (have positive and negative terminals) |
Usually non-polarized (except electrolytic capacitors) |
| Nonlinearity |
Often exhibit nonlinear behavior (e.g., diodes and transistors) |
Typically exhibit linear behavior (e.g., resistors) |
| Applications |
Amplification, switching, modulation |
Signal filtering, energy storage, voltage division |
| Dependency on Power |
Performance depends on the power supply |
Performance independent of power supply |
| Energy Role |
Can add energy to a circuit |
Can only dissipate or store energy |
| Complexity |
Usually more complex in construction and operation |
Simpler in construction and operation |
