PNP transistor symbol?

[SuperAman]

I have a question about PNP transistor symbol. Usually the emitter arrow pointing in the direction of the base is at top where the collector would be. I got asked on a test where the arrow is pointing toward the base but was in the spot of the collector. The answer choices was PNP or NPN and forward biased or reverse biased. So is it a PNP that is forward biased or reverse biased? Usually on the schematics for PNP the Emitter is on the top and collector is on the bottom.

[petehall347]

https://www.falstad.com/circuit/e-pnp.html

[SuperAman]

Basically the image was like this. Not sure if the emitter was connected to ground, a resistor or what.

[eccerr0r]

Depends on how you're using it, however, PNP you would still point the emitter arrow in the direction of how you expect current to flow. If you are using it common emitter, yes it should be connected to your power supply rail. If using in emitter follower, it, just like any other emitter follower npn circuit, the emitter would be connected to the output/load.

Note that in old circuits where most things were using Germanium PNP transistors, schematics were drawn with emitter towards the bottom of the page and positive rail also towards the bottom. This is due to convention as common emitter is fairly common and that common point is drawn at the bottom due to convention (and vacuum tubes are drawn this way too.)

In any case PNP is always arrow pointing towards the bar/base in the schematic, and that arrow always indicates emitter.

[SuperAman]

Depends on how you're using it, however, PNP you would still point the emitter arrow in the direction of how you expect current to flow. If you are using it common emitter, yes it should be connected to your power supply rail. If using in emitter follower, it, just like any other emitter follower npn circuit, the emitter would be connected to the output/load.

Note that in old circuits where most things were using Germanium PNP transistors, schematics were drawn with emitter towards the bottom of the page and positive rail also towards the bottom. This is due to convention as common emitter is fairly common and that common point is drawn at the bottom due to convention (and vacuum tubes are drawn this way too.)

In any case PNP is always arrow pointing towards the bar/base in the schematic, and that arrow always indicates emitter.

Ok so that means it is a forward biased PNP transistor then?

[eccerr0r]

Not clear what the voltages are in the schematic you're looking at. The voltage of the emitter should be higher than of the collector to be forward biased. Plus there's the base-emitter whether that's forward biased or not, so it's not clear what the situation is based on the description.