Question

Why is a potentiometer called a voltage divider?

Answer 1

A potentiometer is called a **voltage divider** because it can split or divide the input voltage into smaller parts. The basic working principle of a potentiometer is that it has a resistive track with a wiper that moves along it. When you apply a voltage across the two ends of the resistive track (say, from a power supply), the wiper divides the total voltage into different parts based on its position.

Here's how it works:

- The input voltage (V_in) is applied across the entire resistive track of the potentiometer.
- The wiper, which is adjustable, taps into a point along the resistive track.
- The voltage at the wiper is a fraction of the input voltage, depending on where the wiper is positioned.

This action of dividing the voltage is why a potentiometer is often called a **voltage divider**. By adjusting the wiper, you can change the output voltage at the wiper, which is proportional to the ratio of the resistances on either side of the wiper.

In simpler terms, it "divides" the input voltage into a smaller output voltage that can be controlled by adjusting the wiper position.