i_c, or collector current, is the current that flows from the collector terminal of a bipolar junction transistor (BJT) to the emitter terminal when the transistor is in its active region. This current is crucial in determining how well the BJT can amplify signals, as it is directly influenced by the base current and the transistor's current gain (beta). Understanding i_c helps to analyze the overall performance of BJTs in various circuits, especially in amplifiers and switches.
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