Which statement best distinguishes bandwidth and slew rate in op-amp design?

• A. Bandwidth defines the frequency range over which gain remains above a specified level; Slew rate is the maximum rate of change of output voltage.
• B. Bandwidth governs small-signal fidelity; Slew rate limits fast edges and distortion.
• C. Bandwidth is a time-domain concept; Slew rate is a frequency-domain concept.
• D. Bandwidth and slew rate are the same parameter.

Answer: (A)

Bandwidth and slew rate describe different aspects of an op-amp’s response. Bandwidth is the frequency range over which the amplifier maintains its gain above a chosen level (such as the -3 dB point). It relates to how well the device preserves small-signal signals across frequencies. Slew rate, on the other hand, is a time-domain limit: the maximum rate at which the output voltage can change, typically expressed in V/µs. This cap restricts how fast large signals or fast input steps can be followed, causing edge distortion if the input demands faster changes than the device can supply. The statement that bandwidth defines the frequency range over which gain remains above a specified level and that slew rate is the maximum rate of change of the output voltage cleanly separates the two concepts, making it the best choice. The other options either mix domains or treat bandwidth and slew rate as the same parameter.