Arrange the following steps in the correct order for understanding the internal functioning of an operational amplifier (op-amp): A) Transistors amplify the input signal, B) The output signal is derived from the difference between the two inputs, C) Feedback mechanisms stabilize the gain, D) Op-amp is powered by a dual supply voltage.

The first step is to supply the op‑amp with a dual voltage, because all the internal transistors need both a positive and a negative supply to work. Once powered, the two input terminals are compared; the tiny voltage difference between them is sensed by a differential pair of transistors. Those transistors then amplify that small difference into a much larger voltage that drives the output stage. Finally, negative feedback from the output back to the inverting input stabilizes the overall gain and keeps the amplifier linear. For example, a 1 mV input difference can be amplified to a 10 V output while the feedback loop maintains a constant 10,000× gain.