Electronics Determining Op Amp Gain.

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around determining the gain of an operational amplifier (op-amp) circuit with given input and output voltages. The initial calculation for gain resulted in a discrepancy, leading to confusion over the correct formula and circuit configuration. Participants noted that the op-amp in question may not be ideal, suggesting that additional characteristics could influence the gain calculation. Despite the textbook indicating a gain of 1001, some participants believe the circuit lacks sufficient information to support this value, leading to speculation about potential errors in the textbook. The conversation highlights the complexities of analyzing non-ideal op-amp circuits and the importance of understanding their characteristics.
OmniNewton
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Homework Statement


Determine the Op amp gain of the following circuit.
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V1 = 1v Vo = 4 V

Homework Equations


A = Vo/ VI

The Attempt at a Solution



Using voltage division I determined the voltage for the node at the +ve terminal

VI = V1(1k/ ([1000 + 1]k)) = 1/1001 V
Vo = 4v Given

Therefore A = Vo/VI = 4/(1/1001) = 4(1001)

However the answer is A = 4/(4/1001) = 1001

So somehow I'm off by a factor of 4. I am really unsure why VI is 4/1001.

Thank you so much for your time.
 
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The circuit does not make sense to me. Are you sure you don't have a feedback resistor somewhere? Also, are you sure the "-" terminal is connected to ground? Perhaps someone else can figure it out, but to me, it looks like it is missing something.
 
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Charles Link said:
The circuit does not make sense to me. Are you sure you don't have a feedback resistor somewhere? Also, are you sure the "-" terminal is connected to ground? Perhaps someone else can figure it out, but to me, it looks like it is missing something.

I strongly felt the same way as well Charles. But this is a problem directly from my textbook and it has not been modified for the last 3 editions so I'm assuming it is correct. Thank you so much for the response though.

EDIT: It is definitely very strange compared to the Operational amplifier problems I am used too. I am seeking enlightenment
 
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The circuit is okay, it's just that the op-amp depicted is not an ideal op-amp. Perhaps it would be better to think of it in terms of some general amplification stage with a finite gain. The idea is to find that gain given the "measured" input and output voltages.
 
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OmniNewton said:
I strongly felt the same way as well Charles. But this is a problem directly from my textbook and it has not been modified for the last 3 editions so I'm assuming it is correct. Thank you so much for the response though.

EDIT: It is definitely very strange compared to the Operational amplifier problems I am used too. I am seeking enlightenment
Taking the circuit as is, for a small positive input voltage, the output voltage would be pinned at +12 Volts or whatever bias you use for it. For a small negaive input voltage, the output would pin itself at -12 volts.
 
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Charles thanks for taking to the time to help out as well. I think gneill has the right idea of how to approach this problem so if we are to approach the problem assuming it is not an ideal OP amp what would I have to change in my solution?
 
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From what is given it appears to me that your result of A = 4004 is correct. Is the question complete as shown or were there other "characteristics" of this amplifier, such as input impedance?
 
gneill said:
From what is given it appears to me that your result of A = 4004 is correct. Is the question complete as shown or were there other "characteristics" of this amplifier, such as input impedance?

Yes you are absolutely right my A will be 4004 but the correct answer is indicated to be 1001 in all previous editions. the circuit provided is all information. The only additional information says Vo = 4 V and v1 = 1.0 V
 
There is nothing provided in the given circuit to account for a factor of 4 other than the gain itself, so I'm thinking that there's an error in the book.
 
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OmniNewton said:
Charles thanks for taking to the time to help out as well. I think gneill has the right idea of how to approach this problem so if we are to approach the problem assuming it is not an ideal OP amp what would I have to change in my solution?
I had difficulty reading the line in your OP where you have ## V1=+1.0 ## Volts and ## V_{out}=+4.0 ## Volts. I am glad that @gneill was able to help get the correct solution.
 
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