How does increasing feedback resistance generally affect amplifier gain?

Increasing feedback resistance in an amplifier typically decreases the overall gain. This is primarily due to the principles of negative feedback in amplifier circuits. In a feedback configuration, a portion of the output signal is fed back to the input. When feedback resistance is increased, the amount of feedback applied to the input also increases. This leads to a reduction in the input signal relative to the feedback signal, resulting in lower overall gain.

The concept of feedback is crucial in amplifier design because it stabilizes gain and improves bandwidth and linearity. The higher the feedback resistance, the more dominant the feedback signal becomes over the input signal, thus diminishing the amplifier's ability to amplify the input signal effectively. This relationship is fundamental to understanding how feedback can be manipulated to either enhance or reduce gain in various amplifier configurations.

Understanding this effect is essential for anyone working with amplifier circuits, as it directly impacts performance characteristics and system behavior in real-world applications.