– The noninverting input is grounded.
– For finding the gain, let’s assume there is infinite impedance at the input (i.e. between the inverting and non-inverting inputs).
– Infinite input impedance implies zero current at the inverting input.
– If there is zero current through the input impedance, there is NO voltage drop between the inverting and noninverting inputs.
– Thus, the voltage at the inverting input is zero!
- The zero at the inverting input is referred to as virtual ground.
– Since there is no current at the inverting input, the current through Ri and the current through Rf are equal:
Iin = If.
– The voltage across Ri equals Vin because of virtual ground on the other side of the resistor. Therefore we have that
Iin = Vin/Ri.
– Also, the voltage across Rf equals –Vout, because of virtual ground. Therefore:
If = -Vout/Rf
– Since If = Iin, we get that:
-Vout/Rf = Vin/Ri
– Or, rearranging,
Vout/Vin = -Rf/Ri
– So,
Acl(I) = -Rf/Ri
– Thus, the closed loop gain is independent of the op-amp’s internal open-loop gain.
– The negative feedback stabilizes the voltage gain.
– The negative sign indicates inversion.