Differential Amplifier Equations for Vout Determination | Amplifier-1.jpg

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around determining the output voltage (Vout) of a differential amplifier, focusing on the relevant equations and the assumptions involved in the analysis. Participants explore the implications of ideal op-amp assumptions and the relationships between various nodes in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses uncertainty about the correctness of their equations for the amplifier, listing several equations related to current and voltage at different nodes.
  • Another participant suggests using ideal op-amp assumptions, stating that the currents into the op-amp are zero and that the voltages at nodes V3 and V4 are equal.
  • A later reply clarifies that nodes VA and VB are not at zero volts, as they are not grounded.
  • There is a discussion about the implications of negative feedback, with some participants asserting that V4 equals V3 due to this feedback.
  • One participant questions whether V4 and V3 would be equal to zero, prompting further clarification about the role of resistors in the circuit.
  • Another participant explains that if there were no resistor connected to V4, V4 would equal V1, leading to a discussion about the current flow between these nodes.
  • Participants explore the consequences of removing certain components from the circuit and how that affects the relationships between voltages at different nodes.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally agree on the application of ideal op-amp assumptions, but there are competing views regarding the specific voltages at nodes V3 and V4, particularly in relation to whether they can be considered zero volts or equal to V1. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the exact implications of these assumptions and configurations.

Contextual Notes

There are limitations in the discussion, including assumptions about grounding and the effects of removing components from the circuit, which are not fully resolved. The implications of ideal op-amp behavior and the resulting equations are also subject to interpretation.

esmeco
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Hello!
I'm trying to determine Vout on this amplifier and I'm having some problems with the equations,because I'm not sure if they're correct!
This's the link to the amplifier:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/esmeco/Amplifier-1.jpg

The equations I've got so far are these:

IB=0
IA=0
V2-V3=R3xI3
V3-0=I4xR4
V4-V1=R1xI1
Vo-V4=R2xI2

I have some questions:how do I know from which way does the current flow(On the wire that is connected to Vo I've determined that current flows from right to left,and,on the top,the current flows from left to right)?Is the voltage on node V3 and V4 the same as VA and VB respectively(As Va=Vb the voltage in both points are 0 volts)?
Any help on this is really appreciated!
Thanks in advance!:smile:
 
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esmeco said:
Hello!
I'm trying to determine Vout on this amplifier and I'm having some problems with the equations,because I'm not sure if they're correct!
This's the link to the amplifier:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i281/esmeco/Amplifier-1.jpg

The equations I've got so far are these:

IB=0
IA=0
V2-V3=R3xI3
V3-0=I4xR4
V4-V1=R1xI1
Vo-V4=R2xI2

I have some questions:how do I know from which way does the current flow(On the wire that is connected to Vo I've determined that current flows from right to left,and,on the top,the current flows from left to right)?Is the voltage on node V3 and V4 the same as VA and VB respectively(As Va=Vb the voltage in both points are 0 volts)?
Any help on this is really appreciated!
Thanks in advance!:smile:

When you are using the ideal op amp assumptions (for quick circuit analysis), you assume:
i_{+} = i_{-} = 0
v_{+} = v_{-}

Thus the node you labeled V4 is at the same potential as V3.

Write the KCL equations for the current flowing into the nodes.
 
Oh, and VA and VB are not zero volts. You have not grounded either of them.
 
So,since there is negative feedback,V4=V3,but would not they be equal to 0?JUSt another question:if there wasn't a resistor connected to V4,would V4 be equal to V1 and thus V3 equal to V1 and the current that would flow from V4 to V1 equal to 0?
 
Last edited:
esmeco said:
So,since there is negative feedback,V4=V3,but would not they be equal to 0?JUSt another question:if there wasn't a resistor connected to V4,would V4 be equal to V1 and thus V3 equal to V1 and the current that would flow from V4 to V1 equal to 0?

So,since there is negative feedback,V4=V3,but would not they be equal to 0?

No.

V4 = V3, because that is an assumption you make. When you are working with an ideal op-amp model.

I pulled this from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier" ,
"For any input voltages the ideal op-amp has infinite open-loop gain, infinite bandwidth, infinite input impedances resulting in zero input currents, infinite slew rate, zero output impedance and zero noise."

So you assume infinite open-loop gain.
A differential amplifier the output is equal to A(v_+-v_-).

Ideally, the voltage between the terminals is zero, thus:
A(v_+-v_-)=v_0
A(0) = v_0
0 = \frac{v_0}{A}

Since A is infinite, v- must equal v+.

Is the fact that there is zero current flowing into the op-amp messing with you? Why do you think V3 = V4 = 0?

Zero current into the op-amp essentially means you can take the op amp out of there, since it acts as an open circuit. For example on the bottom you would have,

V1-----R1------V4-------R2-------V0

and on the top you would have,

V2-----R3------V3-------R4------GROUND

Now since you are using ideal op amp assumption, V3 = V4, so you get a system of equations:
V1-----R1------VN-------R2-------V0
V2-----R3------VN-------R4------GROUND


For your second question,
if there wasn't a resistor connected to V4,would V4 be equal to V1 and thus V3 equal to V1 and the current that would flow from V4 to V1 equal to 0?

What do you mean if there wasn't a resistor connected to V4. You have R1, and R2 connected to V4. Which one are you talking about?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
Thanks for the explanations!I'm now understanding this...Well,when I said about a resistor not connected to V4 I meant R1,and in that situation would V4=V1?
 
esmeco said:
Thanks for the explanations!I'm now understanding this...Well,when I said about a resistor not connected to V4 I meant R1,and in that situation would V4=V1?

If you remove node 1 (short it for example), yup, V4 would equal V1.

And no problem at all man. I actually have a test on Wednesday about this stuff (it's for the first class after basic circuit analysis though).
 

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