I try to learn the theory of Transistors and there came up several questions, I can’t find an answer for.

1. I’ve read that in order to use a transistor as a switch the base current should be high enough to fully saturate the transistor. If the base current is too low it could destroy the transistor. Why does the transistor get destroyed with less current?
2. There was a sample where they switched a solenoid (5V, 1.1A) with a [TIP120](https://www.adafruit.com/datasheets/TIP120.pdf) transistor. When I check the datasheet the PC is 2W@TA=25°C, but isn’t 5V\*1.1A already way too much for the TIP120? Does it have anything to do with VCE?

I’m sorry for these basic questions but I’m pretty confused right now.