To set the output offset voltage to zero, connect the circuit inputs to the

To set the output offset voltage to zero, connect the circuit inputs to the

• A. Vin source
• B. Power supply rails
• C. Circuit common
• D. Ground at the output

Answer: (C)

The thing being tested is how to remove any unwanted offset by removing the input difference. An op-amp’s output offset comes from a small mismatch between its two inputs. If you tie both inputs to the same potential, you eliminate any difference between them, so the amplifier has nothing to amplify in terms of a DC offset. The circuit common is the reference node (the same ground reference used by the rest of the circuit), so connecting both inputs to that node makes the differential input zero. With no difference at the input, and with negative feedback, the output sits at the reference value, yielding zero output offset in the ideal case. Connecting the inputs to a Vin source would apply a signal, not zero offset. Connecting to the power supply rails biases the device but doesn’t force the input difference to zero. Grounding the output changes the output node reference but doesn’t address the inputs.

The thing being tested is how to remove any unwanted offset by removing the input difference. An op-amp’s output offset comes from a small mismatch between its two inputs. If you tie both inputs to the same potential, you eliminate any difference between them, so the amplifier has nothing to amplify in terms of a DC offset. The circuit common is the reference node (the same ground reference used by the rest of the circuit), so connecting both inputs to that node makes the differential input zero. With no difference at the input, and with negative feedback, the output sits at the reference value, yielding zero output offset in the ideal case.

Connecting the inputs to a Vin source would apply a signal, not zero offset. Connecting to the power supply rails biases the device but doesn’t force the input difference to zero. Grounding the output changes the output node reference but doesn’t address the inputs.