I have a question about how transistors work

Or perhaps my basic thing I am not understanding is more of a how electricity works.

Generally when describing a NOT gate I see something as shown in the picture below. What I perhaps don't understand is why you can have that output line before the transistor. My inference is that when the base is activated electricity prefers to flow through to the ground when possible and passes the Vout in the picture entirely and goes directly for the ground when the transistor is "open." Is this how it works?

I feel I don't quite understand electrical grounding perhaps, and what I said in the previous paragraph is just what I have tried to figure out.

That type of transistor, an NPN BJT, will allow electricity to flow when voltage is applied to its base. So if no voltage is applied to vin it will go through your vout route. If voltage is applied and v out is not attached to ground it will just go straight to ground as there is almost no resistance that way. Electricity goes the path of least resistance.

@maginnovision: Ok thanks a ton that is what I figured something like that, but wasn't sure! Like your icon btw!

Hi,

Just wanted to say that if you want an OK description of transistors, gates and computation in general -- there is a good book by Feynman:

http://www.amazon.com/Feynman-Lectures-On-Computation-Richard/dp/0738202967

The basics are covered in the beginning of the book and Feynman expertly and intuitively explains (as always.)