AS1 1.12 Potential Divider Circuits

Question 1

What is a potential divider?

Answer 1

It is what divides the voltage in a circuit, so that parts of a circuit can only get the voltage they require.

Question 2

What is the equation for the amount of output voltage?

Answer 2

V(out) =(R1 x V(in)) / (R1 + R2)

Question 3

What are the uses of a Potential Divider?

Answer 3

An LDR, which is used in the shutter time of a camera and street lights due to having a variable resistance.

Question 4

What happens if you make R2 a variable resistor in a potential divider circuit?

Answer 4

R2 = maximum resistance - V(out) = minimum value
R2 = zero resistance - V(out) = V(in)

Question 5

What is the equation for the total current flowing through the potential divider system?

Answer 5

I = V(in) / (R1 + R2)

I = current (A)
V(in) = voltage in (V)
R1+ R2 = total resistance (ohms)

Question 6

What is the equation for voltage out involving current?

Answer 6

V(out) = I x R1
V(out) = Voltage out (V)
I = Current (A)
R1 = resistance (ohms)