Which of the following describes the output of a differential amplifier when provided with anti-phase inputs?

The output of a differential amplifier is designed to respond to the difference between two input signals. When the inputs are in anti-phase, it means that one input signal is the exact negative of the other. For example, if one input receives a voltage signal of +1V, the other input will receive -1V.

The core functionality of a differential amplifier lies in its ability to amplify the voltage difference between its inputs. When both inputs are equal in magnitude but inverse in direction (anti-phase), the voltage difference is zero. Thus, the amplifier produces an output of zero, since the two signals cancel each other out perfectly.

This characteristic is pivotal in various applications, especially in eliminating common-mode signals and noise, which may be present in both inputs equally, thereby allowing the differential amplifier to focus on the true differential signal.