Experiment # 07

Design OP Amplifier as a Differentiator.

7.1 Aim:

I. To study the characteristics of OP-Amp as a Differentiator

II. To observe the frequency response of OP-Amp as a Differentiator

7.2 Apparatus:

1. OP-Amp 741
2. Oscillator
3. Oscilloscope
4. Connecting wires
5. Bread board trainer
6. Resistors (1K, 10K)
7. Capacitor (100µF)

7.3 Theory:

An operational amplifier (op-amp) can be used as a differentiator to amplify and differentiate an input
signal. A differentiator is a circuit that produces an output signal that is proportional to the rate of
change of the input signal. The op-amp is used to amplify and differentiate the input signal, and the
feedback network consists of a capacitor and a resistor. The input signal is applied to the inverting input
of the op-amp, while the output signal is taken from the output terminal. The feedback network
provides a path for the output signal to be fed back to the inverting input of the op-amp, which results
in a negative feedback that stabilizes the circuit.

The construction of a differentiator involves connecting a capacitor in series with a resistor between the
inverting input and the output of the op-amp. The input signal is applied to the input terminal of the
capacitor, and the output signal is taken from the output terminal of the op-amp. The output voltage of
the op-amp is proportional to the rate of change of the input voltage, with the gain determined by the
values of the capacitor and resistor. A differentiator circuit can be used to amplify high-frequency
components of the input signal, which makes it useful in signal processing applications such as audio or
radio frequency circuits.

Using an operational amplifier as a differentiator provides several benefits, including the ability to
amplify and differentiate an input signal simultaneously. This allows for the processing of signals with
high rates of change, such as audio or radio frequency signals. Additionally, the feedback network of the
differentiator circuit provides a path for the output signal to be fed back to the inverting input of the op-
amp, which results in a negative feedback that stabilizes the circuit.
 Circuit diagram:

7.4 Procedure:

1. Connect the circuit as shown in figure 4.1.

2. Connect the input of the circuit to the output of the function generator, and set the frequency
to 1 kHz.

3. Connect the output of the circuit to channel 1 of the oscilloscope, and connect the input of the
circuit to channel 2 of the oscilloscope.

4. Set the oscilloscope to display both channels.

5. Power up the circuit and observe the output waveform on the oscilloscope. Adjust the time and
voltage scales as necessary to see the waveforms clearly.

6. Vary the amplitude and frequency of the input waveform and observe the effect on the output
waveform.

7.5 Observations and Calculations: