This simulation demonstrates the difference between an amplifier and a comparator using an operational amplifier. In the amplifier configuration, the feedback resistor is connected to the inverting input, providing negative feedback, which stabilizes the circuit and ensures the op-amp produces a faithful, linear amplified version of the input signal without distortion. The output waveform (green) clearly shows the sinusoidal input signal amplified in proportion to the gain set by the resistor ra

This simulation compares an op-amp used as a linear amplifier versus used as a comparator. The violet trace at the top is the 1 kHz input sine; the green trace shows the amplifier output which follows the input smoothly with gain and remains within the op-amp’s linear region thanks to negative feedback — you can see a larger amplitude sinusoid with low distortion and Vpp ≈ 10V. The red trace is the comparator output: instead of a scaled sine it snaps between ±supply rails, producing a clean squa

This simulation highlights the difference between an amplifier and a comparator, emphasizing the feedback mechanism in op-amp operation. The amplifier circuit uses negative feedback, which stabilizes gain and ensures the output is a smooth, amplified version of the input signal. This feedback forces the op-amp to work linearly, keeping the voltage difference between inputs nearly zero. The comparator, however, operates without feedback, driving the output to either saturation level depending on