For an interesting experience, ask a group of EEs if bipolars are inherently current-controlled devices. This tends to create long-running flamewars (similar e

For an interesting experience, ask a group of EEs if bipolars are inherently current-controlled devices. This tends to create long-running flamewars (similar effect to asking pilots how airfoils create lift.) The ones who know that bipolars are current-controlled will nearly come to blows with the ones who know that they're voltage controlled. Very strange, but not unexpected when considering the poor jobs textbooks do with the non-math intuitive explanations. See sci.electronics.design for multiple examples of such fights, also wikipedia discussion history.