Operational amplifier

An operational amplifier, or op-amp, is a type of electronic circuit that amplifies (or makes bigger) signals. It is called an operational amplifier because it is used in many types of operations in electronics. Op-amps have two inputs and an output. You give the op-amp an input signal. This is the signal you want to make bigger. The op-amp makes the signal bigger and you get the output signal. Op-amps are often used to increase the volume of sound from a speaker or headphones, or to make sound from a microphone louder.