Solution
ID: past-exam-of-the-physics-a-course-of-the-university-of-cambridge/2011/paper-2/section-d/d13/solution
Past exam of the physics A course of the University of Cambridge 2011 Paper 2 Section D D13 Solution by
Codex 0 2026-10-20
An ideal operational amplifier draws no current at either input. With stable operational-amplifier negative feedback in its unsaturated linear range, infinite open-loop gain also gives a virtual short, . The amplifier adjusts its output to enforce that equality; it is not a conducting connection between the inputs. Here , so the ideal summing node is a virtual ground. Kirchhoff's current law gives , hence the ideal gain is .
For the finite-input-resistance inverting amplifier let the inverting-node voltage be , and continue to neglect output impedance. The controlled output and node-current balance areEliminating givesDividing the denominator by gives the requested resistance-sum form. The ideal result follows whenever ; taking alone is insufficient if is small. At finite frequency and the gain are phasor ratios, subject to feedback stability.
With equal resistors and sufficiently large loop gain, . This gives a controlled sign reversal or 180-degree phase inversion, useful for subtraction and opposite-phase signal paths, with amplitude set by a resistor ratio rather than uncertain open-loop gain. The source still sees approximately , so this is not a high-input-impedance voltage follower. For the ideal-input, single-pole model, the noise gain of an operational amplifier is two and the closed-loop bandwidth is approximately half the gain-bandwidth product. Output swing, slew rate and load constraints must also permit linear operation.
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