Potential Dividers and Potentiometers Flashcards
1
Q
What is a potential divider?
A
circuit with a pd source and resistors(any components with resistances) in series
2
Q
How does a potential divider work?
A
The voltage is split by the ratio of resistances
3
Q
Why are these useful?
A
if we need a varying pd supply or a supply of lower voltage than the source
4
Q
What can we add to a potential divider ?
A
A sensor , LDR or thermistor
5
Q
What is a potentiometer?
A
basically a potential divider but uses a variable resisotr replacing both resistors . a knob is used to adjust where along the variable resistor the circuit will be connected to and hence pd is determined along the length
6
Q
When are potentiometers handy?
A
When we want to change voltage continuously.
