So lets say that we are looking at NPN transistor:
simulate this circuit – Schematic created using CircuitLab
I know the practical and theoretical basics of transistor but what I don't understand is next:
1.) Collector current flows in and out of transistor if we have load on the collector. How is that possible - in and out at the same time?
2.) Ic=β*Ib, right? So when we are using this equation, which Ic do we use - Ic in or Ic out?
in and out at the same time?
It doesn't flow in and out at the same time. It flows through R2 and then in to the BJT collector and into the load (R).
which Ic do we use - Ic in or Ic out?
Ic will be flowing in to an NPN transistor if it is operating in forward active or saturated mode.
In the circuit shown, current flows through R2, and then flows EITHER into Q1 collector OR load R, or divides with some flowing into each. There is no current out of Q1 collector.
Ic = β*Ib, right.
So if R1 is infinite, Ib = 0, Ic = 0, and all the current from R2 flows through R. I(out) = V/(R + R2), and Vout = Iout * R.
If R1 is low enough, Ib is large, turning the transistor fully on (saturating it), so all the available current lows into the collector.
Now Vout = 0 (actually, saturation voltage is typically below 0.2V), Ic = V/R2, and Iout = 0 (actually < 0.2V * R). Now saturation is also commonly defined as the point where β falls to 10 or less, so you can take Ib as Ic/10, and work out a suitable R1 from that.
For an intermediate value of Ib, current divides at the collector between Ic (= β * Ib) and Iout. Databooks give approximate values of β at different values of Vce the collector-emitter voltage (which is also Vout in this circuit).
