Eli5 Why does heat slow down electronics?
In: 28
The complete model for transistor behavior has the temperature variable all over the place. It even has a T^3 in one place. So, electronics operate outside of expected performance. When the temperature is too high or too low. Designers simulate temperature changes and validate performance up to and down to some temperature. Outside of that, things don’t work as they should. So, safety circuits are used to either slow the system (and thereby reduce heat) or shut the system down. your car and your iPhone both shut down for protection at high temps. Computers slow down first.
to be clear, it could be that in some cases the circuit could work better at high temperatures IF that was what it was designed for. But people design for nominal earth temperatures, so higher temps are outside of the design window.
Latest Answers