What term describes the ratio of amplifier output to input of electrical power?

What term describes the ratio of amplifier output to input of electrical power?

• A. Gain
• B. Efficiency
• C. Output power
• D. Amplification factor

Answer: (A)

Power gain is the factor by which an amplifier increases the power of a signal. It is defined as the ratio of output power to input power (Pout divided by Pin). This directly describes how much the amplifier boosts the electrical power that comes in, which is exactly what the question asks. Efficiency might seem related because it also uses a ratio of output to input power, but it’s about how effectively the device converts input power into useful output and can be high or low independently of how much the signal is amplified. Output power alone doesn’t express a ratio, it’s just the amount delivered. Amplification factor is not the standard term used in this context; the conventional term is gain. So the best fit for describing the boost factor of the amplifier is gain.

Power gain is the factor by which an amplifier increases the power of a signal. It is defined as the ratio of output power to input power (Pout divided by Pin). This directly describes how much the amplifier boosts the electrical power that comes in, which is exactly what the question asks.

Efficiency might seem related because it also uses a ratio of output to input power, but it’s about how effectively the device converts input power into useful output and can be high or low independently of how much the signal is amplified. Output power alone doesn’t express a ratio, it’s just the amount delivered. Amplification factor is not the standard term used in this context; the conventional term is gain. So the best fit for describing the boost factor of the amplifier is gain.