What Does the Output Wave Look Like in an Op-Amp with Identical Inputs?

  • Thread starter Thread starter NBAJam100
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Electronics Op-amp
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

When identical signals are applied to both the inverting and non-inverting inputs of an operational amplifier (op-amp), the output ideally remains at zero due to the op-amp's function of minimizing the voltage difference between its inputs. However, in practical scenarios, real op-amps will output a signal at full rail voltage (either positive or negative) because of inherent imperfections such as input offset voltage and common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR). Understanding these parameters is crucial for accurate predictions of op-amp behavior in real-world applications.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of operational amplifier (op-amp) fundamentals
  • Familiarity with inverting and non-inverting input configurations
  • Knowledge of common-mode rejection ratio (CMRR)
  • Awareness of input offset voltage and current concepts
NEXT STEPS
  • Review op-amp datasheets to understand specifications like CMRR and input offset voltage
  • Study the behavior of ideal vs. real op-amps in various configurations
  • Learn about feedback mechanisms in op-amp circuits
  • Explore practical applications of op-amps in signal processing
USEFUL FOR

Electronics students, circuit designers, and engineers interested in understanding operational amplifier behavior and its implications in real-world applications.

NBAJam100
Messages
143
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


You have an op-amp circuit, a very simple one... All it is is a signal produced (triangle wave) from a generator that is sent into both the inverting and non inverting inputs. what does the output wave look like??





The Attempt at a Solution



Im pretty sure this is very easy and i think i am looking into it too hard... but if you send an identical signal into both noninverting and inverting inputs of an op amp, won't there be no output signal because the amp will invert the signal and add it to the normal signal sent into the non inverting for a net of 0? Or does that not matter, would i just come out as the signal times the amplification? I guess I am just not 100% sure about what inverting and non inverting do, thanks a lot guys.
 
Physics news on Phys.org
Simple rule: An opamp changes the output to reduce the difference between the inputs.

So you are correct it will have no output. Actually in the real world it will immediately lock into full rail +ve or -ve output because it has infinite gain and there will be some tiny difference in the input!
 
NBAJam100 said:
Im pretty sure this is very easy and i think i am looking into it too hard... but if you send an identical signal into both noninverting and inverting inputs of an op amp, won't there be no output signal because the amp will invert the signal and add it to the normal signal sent into the non inverting for a net of 0? Or does that not matter, would i just come out as the signal times the amplification? I guess I am just not 100% sure about what inverting and non inverting do, thanks a lot guys.


For an ideal opamp, yes, the output would be zero. But for real opamps, you would need to look at the CMRR (common-mode rejection ratio), and at the input offset voltages and currents, in order to provide a complete answer. Check out the datasheets for some common opamps to read about these parameters, and then post here what you think the full answer is...
 

Similar threads

Replies
15
Views
3K
Replies
34
Views
4K
  • · Replies 13 ·
Replies
13
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
3K
  • · Replies 8 ·
Replies
8
Views
3K
Replies
12
Views
3K
  • · Replies 4 ·
Replies
4
Views
2K
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K