Skip to content
Question 47 of 88

Q.Since the input impedance of an ideal operational amplifier is infinite :

(a) its input current is zero
(b) its output resistance is high
(c) its output voltage becomes independent of load resistance
(d) it becomes a current controlled device
Puducherry TnboardTamil Nadu HSC (DGE) Board 2017MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★
53% · 47/88 Questions
🔒 Locked · start free trial →

You're viewing a preview — the full solution, concept, methods & PYQ mapping are locked.

Start your 14-day free trial to unlock the full solution →

Infinite input impedance directly forces the input current of an ideal op-amp to be zero — this is one of the two 'golden rules' used to analyse ideal op-amp circuits.

An operational amplifier is modelled, in the ideal limit, with two defining properties at its input: infinite input impedance and infinite open-loop gain (together with, usually, zero output impedance). Input impedance ZinZ_{in} is the ratio of the voltage applied between (or at) the input terminals to the current drawn by those terminals: Zin=Vin/IinZ_{in} = V_{in}/I_{in}. If Zin→∞Z_{in}\to\infty, then for any finite input voltage VinV_{in}, the input current Iin=Vin/Zin→0I_{in} = V_{in}/Z_{in} \to 0. This is exactly the first of the two idealised 'golden rules' of op-amp analysis (the second being that the differential input voltage is driven to zero under negative feedback, i.e. a 'virtual short').

Physically, this reflects the fact that a real op-amp's input stage is a differential amplifier built from transistors (BJT or, more commonly today, FET) whose input terminals draw only a tiny bias/leakage current in practice; treating this as exactly zero is the standard, extremely good approximation used throughout circuit analysis.

…

Unlock everything free for 14 days

  • Full step-by-step solutions
  • Concept-first explanations
  • Methods, shortcuts & mistakes
  • PYQ mapping + timed mock tests

Full access for 14 days. No credit card required.