Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

CIRCUITS LABORATORY
Experiment # 4:
Op amps: The Inverting Amplifier Circuit

OBJECTIVES

The main purpose of the experiment is to introduce you to operational amplifier (Op amp).
Firstly, op amp terminals and terminal voltages and currents are explained. Then, voltage
characteristic of an op amp is given. Lastly, some illustrative examples for inverting amplifier
circuits are studied. Additionally, LM741 is introduced for experimental works.

INFORMATION

Opamps

An operational amplifier (Op amp) is a DC-coupled high-gain electronic voltage amplifier

with a different input and, usually, a single-ended output. An op amp produces an output voltage
that is typically hundreds of thousands times larger than the voltage difference between its input
terminals [1].

Fig. 1 Circuit Symbol for an Opamp

As seen from the figure, an op amp contains the five terminals of primary interest. The
noninverting input terminal is labeled plus (+), and the inverting input terminal is labeled minus
(-). The power supply terminals, which are always drawn outside the triangle, are marked 𝑉+and
𝑉−. The terminal at the apex of the triangular box is always understood to be the output terminal.

The terminal voltage and current variables are given in Fig. 2. The Vn and in represent the
inverting input voltage and current, respectively. Similarly, same notation used to describe
output and noninverting input voltage and current. The output voltage of the op amp is linearly
proportional to the voltage difference between the input voltages (Vn and Vp). However, the
output voltage is limited to the range 𝑉− ≤ 𝑉 ≤ 𝑉+. The range 𝑉− ≤ 𝑉 ≤ 𝑉+ is often called the
linear region of the amplifier, and when the output swings to 𝑉− or 𝑉+, the op amp is said to be
saturated.

For an ideal op amp, Vn is equal to Vp that is defined the input voltage constraint (virtual short
concept) for an ideal op amp. Similarly, in and ip are equal to zero which is the input current
constraint for an ideal op amp.
 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

Fig. 2 Voltage and Current Variables for an Op amp

The Inverting-Amplifier Circuit

An inverting-amplifier circuit is shown in Fig. 3. In the circuit, an AC voltage source is

connected to the inverting input. The noninverting input is connected to a short circuit (Vp=0).
Additionally, the circuit includes two resistors Rs and Rf.

Fig. 3 An Inverting-Amplifier Circuit

In order to analyze the circuit, the relationship between input and output must be considered.
Now, the node voltage method is used to find input-output equation:

𝑉𝑠 − 0 0 − 𝑉𝑜 𝑅𝑓
= => 𝑉𝑜 = − 𝑉𝑠
𝑅𝑠 𝑅𝑓 𝑅𝑠

The ratio 𝑅𝑓⁄𝑅𝑠 is defined as the voltage gain of op amp. As a result, in an inverting
amplifier, the output voltage changes in an opposite direction to the input voltage. The
magnitude of output voltage is directly proportional with absolute value of gain and the
magnitude of input voltage.

LM741

Fig. 4 shows the pinout representation of LM741. As seen from the figure, pin1 and pin5 are
used to provide offset to op amp. However, in most case, the offset terminals are unused. pin2
and pin3 connect inverting and noninverting inputs, respectively. pin4 supply negative power
 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

and similarly pin7 supplies positive power to op amp. pin8 stands for not connected (NC). The
detailed information about the LM741 could be found in [2].

Fig. 4 Pinout Representation of LM741

PRELIMINARY WORK

i- Study Information section carefully.

ii- Solve all questions that are given below section by hand.
iii-Write down your solutions on a clear white A4 size paper and give it to the instructor
before laboratory hours.

EQUIPMENT LIST

i- Oscilloscope
ii- Function Generator
iii-Multimeter
iv-Breadboard
v- Wire
vi- Resistors: 10 x 1kΩ, 2 x 10kΩ pot
vii- Op amp : 3x LM741

QUESTIONS

a) An inverting-amplifier circuit is given in Fig. 5. Assume that 𝑉𝑠 = 2 V and 𝑅𝑓 = 2𝑘𝛺.

Fig. 5 An Inverting-amplifier Circuit with DC voltage source

 Circuits Theory Laboratory, Fall 2022

Before the experiment, please clearly indicate and sketch Vs and Vo on the multimeter.
b) Repeat a) for 𝑅𝑓 = 5𝑘𝛺.
c) Repeat a) for 𝑅𝑓 = 10𝑘𝛺.

EXPERIMENT

An Inverting-Amplifier Circuit

a) Construct the circuit of Fig. 5 on the breadboard.

b) Power on the voltage source and adjust it to 𝑉𝑠 = 2 V.
c) Connect the 2kΩ 𝑅𝑓 resistance. Then observe voltages Vs and Vo by using multimeter. Is
there any difference or similarities between the measurements and calculation in Question
section? Ifany, explain the reason.
d) Repeat c) for 𝑅𝑓 = 5𝑘𝛺.
e) Repeat c) for 𝑅𝑓 = 10𝑘𝛺.

[1] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Operational_amplifier, 2015.

[2] http://www.ti.com/lit/ds/symlink/lm741.pdf, 2015.