potential divider

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potential divider

A student adjusts a potential divider on an electronics breadboard.

Definition

Noun: * A circuit component used to obtain a specific fraction of a voltage: A potential divider is an arrangement of two or more electrical resistors connected in series across a voltage source. The output voltage, taken from the connection point between the resistors, is a fixed fraction of the input voltage, determined by the ratio of the resistor values.

Usage
  • The potential divider is a fundamental circuit in electronics for generating a reference voltage lower than the supply voltage.
  • To calculate the output of a potential divider, you need to know the values of the two series resistors.
  • A common application of a potential divider is in volume controls or light-sensitive switches.
Examples
  • "The sensor's signal was conditioned using a simple potential divider before being fed into the microcontroller."
  • "In the lab, we constructed a potential divider with a 10kΩ and a 5kΩ resistor to get one-third of the supply voltage."
  • "The variable resistor acts as an adjustable potential divider."
Advanced Usage
  • While traditionally made with fixed resistors, a potential divider can be implemented using other impedance elements like capacitors (in an AC circuit) or photoresistors, where the output voltage varies with light intensity.
  • The principle of the potential divider is also used in potentiometers, where a sliding contact moves along a resistive element to provide a continuously variable output voltage.
Variants and Related Words
  • Voltage Divider: This is a direct synonym and is often used interchangeably with "potential divider."
  • Divider: In an electronics context, this is a common shortened form (e.g., "a resistive divider").
  • Potentiometer: A three-terminal variable resistor that can be used as an adjustable potential divider.
Synonyms
  • Voltage divider
Related Phrases/Concepts
  • Series Circuit: A potential divider is a specific application of a series circuit.
  • Ohm's Law: The operation of a potential divider is analyzed using Ohm's Law ((V = IR)).
  • Output Tap / Output Voltage ((V_{out})): The point between the resistors from which the divided voltage is taken.
potential divider

A student adjusts a potential divider on an electronics breadboard.

Noun
  1. resistors connected in series across a voltage source; used to obtain a desired fraction of the voltage

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