Electronic – Op-amps, their impedance and current flow

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I'm an undergratuate student and I have a question about op-amps.

As I understand it you need infinite input impedance so there is voltage drop across the op-amp and not the signal device. However, doesn't infinite resistance means that no current will flow through the op-amp? Do you get any form of current at the output?

Thank you for taking your time to read this.

Best Answer

Infinite input impedance means that no current flows into the input terminals of an ideal op amp. The ideal op amp also has zero output impedance, and most certainly provides current.

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The image above shows a non ideal op amp in an inverting configuration. To idealize this, \$Z_{in1}\$ and \$Z_{in2}\$ are equal to \$\infty\$, and \$Z_{out}=0\$, making \$ e_{out}=v_{out}\$. To finish off the ideal assumptions, \$A_{OL}\$ is the open loop gain of the op amp, and is equal to \$\infty\$