Define a potentiometer and its use in voltage division.
1 Answer
A potentiometer, often referred to as a "pot," is a three-terminal variable resistor used to measure and control electrical potential difference (voltage) in electronic circuits. It consists of a resistive track, typically made of a material with high resistivity, and a movable wiper that can slide along the track. The three terminals are usually labeled as "1," "2," and "3."
The basic principle behind the potentiometer's operation is that it divides the input voltage across its two fixed terminals (1 and 3) based on the position of the wiper connected to the third terminal (2). By adjusting the position of the wiper, you can vary the amount of resistance between terminals 1 and 2, and between terminals 2 and 3.
When used in voltage division, a potentiometer acts as a voltage divider circuit. A voltage divider is a simple circuit that divides the input voltage into two parts based on the resistances in the circuit. The voltage across the wiper terminal (2) can be controlled by the user, and this voltage becomes the output voltage of the voltage divider.
The voltage division formula for a potentiometer is given by:
Vout = Vin * (R2 / (R1 + R2))
where:
Vin is the input voltage applied across terminals 1 and 3.
Vout is the output voltage obtained at the wiper terminal (2).
R1 is the resistance between terminal 1 and the wiper terminal (2).
R2 is the resistance between the wiper terminal (2) and terminal 3.
By adjusting the wiper's position, you can change the ratio of R2 to (R1 + R2), which, in turn, changes the output voltage Vout. This voltage division functionality is widely used in various applications, such as volume controls in audio equipment, brightness controls in displays, and calibration adjustments in electronic circuits.
The basic principle behind the potentiometer's operation is that it divides the input voltage across its two fixed terminals (1 and 3) based on the position of the wiper connected to the third terminal (2). By adjusting the position of the wiper, you can vary the amount of resistance between terminals 1 and 2, and between terminals 2 and 3.
When used in voltage division, a potentiometer acts as a voltage divider circuit. A voltage divider is a simple circuit that divides the input voltage into two parts based on the resistances in the circuit. The voltage across the wiper terminal (2) can be controlled by the user, and this voltage becomes the output voltage of the voltage divider.
The voltage division formula for a potentiometer is given by:
Vout = Vin * (R2 / (R1 + R2))
where:
Vin is the input voltage applied across terminals 1 and 3.
Vout is the output voltage obtained at the wiper terminal (2).
R1 is the resistance between terminal 1 and the wiper terminal (2).
R2 is the resistance between the wiper terminal (2) and terminal 3.
By adjusting the wiper's position, you can change the ratio of R2 to (R1 + R2), which, in turn, changes the output voltage Vout. This voltage division functionality is widely used in various applications, such as volume controls in audio equipment, brightness controls in displays, and calibration adjustments in electronic circuits.