Question

What is the cause of harmonic distortion in a power amplifier?

(a) Exact replication of output signal

(b) Perfectly synced harmonics

(c) Non-linearity of transistors

(d) Linearity of transistors

I got this question in exam.

I want to ask this question from Second Harmonic Distortion in section Large Signal Amplifiers of Electronic Devices & Circuits

Answer 1

Correct answer is (c) Non-linearity of transistors

Easy explanation: Harmonic distortion in a power amplifier is caused due to the non-linearity of transistor devices. Transistors are the active elements in the circuit and are used for amplification. However, they do not equally amplify each point of the input wave form which then creates distortion.