1. An operational amplifier (op-amp) is a high-gain differential amplifier with very high input impedance and low output impedance. It has two input ports (inverting and non-inverting) and one output port.
2. In an ideal op-amp, the current into the input ports is zero and the output voltage is the gain multiplied by the difference between the two input voltages.
3. Op-amps are often used in an inverting configuration, where the input signal is applied to the inverting port and feedback resistor connects the output to the inverting port, creating negative feedback that reduces the gain.