This resource provides clear explanations of how switching regulators work and how voltage boosting is achieved efficiently ...

Regular on/off switches rely on fingers and springs to bring bits of wire together or apart. When the wires touch, electrons flow from one to the other, and your computer/nightlight/sock warmer is on.

Transistors are tiny switches that can be triggered by electric signals. They are the basic building blocks of microchips, and roughly define the difference between electric and electronic devices.