11.2.2

Potential Divider

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Potential Divider

Potential dividers can be used to supply constant or variable potential differences from a power supply.

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What a potential divider looks like

  • Often in electronics, the power supply has a potential difference that is too high for our intended use.
  • Another problem is that we might want a variable potential difference when we only have a constant potential difference power supply.
  • A potential divider circuit uses the resistance of a resistor to change the potential difference across a component.
  • When the second resistor has a high resistance, there is a reduction of the potential difference across the component.
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Using a variable resistor

  • If a variable resistor is now in place of R1, the potential difference across the component can be altered.
    • When the variable resistor is set to zero, the component gets the full power supply of potential difference.
    • When the variable resistor is set higher, the component gets a smaller share of the full power supply of potential difference.
  • The potential difference can be altered to vary the potential difference with time or set it at a lower value than the power supply.
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Using a thermistor

  • If a thermistor is now in place of R1, the potential difference across the component is altered based on the temperature of the thermistor.
    • When the temperature is high, the thermistor resistance is close to zero and so the component gets nearly the full power supply of potential difference.
    • When the temperature is low, the component gets a smaller share of the full power supply of potential difference.
Illustrative background for Using a light dependent resistorIllustrative background for Using a light dependent resistor ?? "content

Using a light dependent resistor

  • If a light dependent resistor (LDR) is now in place of R1, the potential difference across the component is altered based on the light intensity incident on the LDR.
    • When the intensity is high, the LDR resistance is close to zero and so the component gets nearly the full power supply of potential difference.
    • When the intensity is low, the component gets a smaller share of the full power supply of potential difference.

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1Physical Quantities & Units

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4Dynamics

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6Deformation of Solids

7Thermal Physics

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13Modern Physics

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