A-LEVEL Physics: 5.1.10: Potential Divider (Seneca) Flashcards
What are ‘Potential Dividers’?
Potential Dividers can be used to Supply a Constant or Variable Potential Difference from a Power Supply.
What does a Potential Divider Use to Change the P.D. Across a Component?
It uses the Resistance of a Resistor.
A Potential Divider Uses the ___ of a ___ to Change to Potential Difference Across a Component.
Resistance, Resistor.
What happens when the Second Resistor in a Potential Divider has a High Resistance?
There is Reduction of the Potential Difference Across the Component.
What happens if you Use a Variable Resistor in place of R1 in a Potential Divider?
The Potential Difference Across the Component can be Altered.
Explain how Variable Resistors in place of R1 work in Potential Dividers: (2)
-When the Variable Resistor is Set to 0, the Component gets the Full Power Supple of Potential Difference.
-When the Variable Resistor is Set Higher, the Component gets a Smaller Share of the Full Power Supply of Potential Difference.
What happens when a Thermistor is in place of R1 in a Potential Divider?
The Potential Difference Across the Component is Altered based on the Temperature of the Thermistor.
Explain how Thermistors in place of R1 work in Potential Dividers: (2)
-When the Temperature is High, the Resistance of the Thermistor is close to 0, & 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 the Potential Difference.
What happens when a Light Dependent Resistor is in place of R1 in a Potential Divider?
The Potential Difference Across the Component is Altered based on the Light Intensity Incident on the LDR.
Explain how Thermistors in place of R1 work in Potential Dividers: (2)
-When the Light Intensity is High, the LDR Resistance is Closer to 0, & 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.
What does a Potential Divider Consist of? (2)
-2 or More Resistors in Series.
-A Source of Fixed Potential Difference.
What Can you say about the Potential Difference of the Source of a Circuit?
The PD of the Source is Divided Between the Components in the Circuit, as they are in Series with each other.
By Making a Suitable Choice of Components, a Potential Divider Can be Used to…
To Supply a PD which is Fixed at any Value Between 0V & the Source of PD.
What is a ‘Rheostat’?
Variable Resistor.
