What distinguishes active components from passive components?

Active components are defined primarily by their ability to amplify signals. These components are capable of taking an input signal and increasing its power, voltage, or current level. This amplification effect is crucial in many electronic circuits, as it allows for the processing and manipulation of signals to achieve desired outcomes. Devices like transistors and operational amplifiers are prime examples of active components that provide this amplification functionality.

In contrast, passive components, such as resistors, capacitors, and inductors, do not have this ability. They can only consume, store, or dissipate energy without any active amplification or signal enhancement. While some passive components can store energy (like capacitors), they lack the capability to amplify signals, making them fundamentally different from active components. Therefore, the ability to amplify signals is a key characteristic that sets active components apart from their passive counterparts.