Final answer:
An ideal op-amp has two primary characteristics: infinite input impedance, which ensures no current is drawn from the input, and zero output impedance, which allows it to drive any load without signal voltage loss.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ideal operational amplifier (op-amp) has two key electrical characteristics that make it an essential component in various electronic applications. The first characteristic is infinite input impedance, meaning that the op-amp draws no current from the source at its input terminals. This allows for maximum voltage transfer and minimizes the effect on the source circuit. The second characteristic is zero output impedance, implying that the op-amp can drive any load without loss of signal voltage, which ensures maximum power transfer to the load. These characteristics are ideals and thus are approximations to real-world devices, but they guide the design and analysis of circuits involving op-amps.