It's because of the finite resistance of the surroundings ie the air,
insulation materials etc.
The fluctuations you see is fluctuations in this resistance. Maybe =
other
kind of phenomenas too?

/niklas

-----Ursprungligt meddelande-----
Fr=E5n: Kieren Johnstone [mailto:misterfugit@HOTMAIL.COM]
Skickat: den 5 augusti 2002 13:23
Till: PICLIST@MITVMA.MIT.EDU
=C4mne: [EE]: My magical toy of wonderous mystery (transistor amp?)


Hi,
I thought I'd try an experiment based on a transistor; the transistor =
would
switch an LED when two wires (one from +5V, other to base of =
transistor)
were attached to a conductor of sorts.  It was cool, because you could =
hold
one in one hand, the other in the other, and it would light up - two, =
even
three people work holding hands :)  Anyway, I added another transistor, =
i.e.
transistor 1 takes miniscule current, outputs small current, transistor =
2
takes small current, outputs slightly larger etc. etc.
Anyway, I'm noticing weird results with 3 transistors.. the LED =
fluctuates
in a dim state, even with the wires not touching.  Making *any sort* of
contact with the wire connected to the primary transistor's base will =
light
up the LED (quite brightly).  Don't even need to be near the +ve =
supply.
That's touching even the plastic insulation!
Anyway.. I don't know if this is called a transistor amp or what, but I =
was
just wondering why it does this.. am I naturally generating current? :D

-Kieren

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