How does a potential divider work?

I've always thought that physics is best explained through analogies, and so instead of two resistors we'll imagine two people (our resistors) in Yo Sushi (where plates of sushi represent our voltage). Say the first person, person A, is twice as hungry as person B (A has twice the resistance of B) . This means that for every 3 plates, A will take 2 of them and B will take 1. We can imagine taking the voltage across A, which is counting the number of plates A has. It will always be 2/3 of the total number of plates. Similarly, looking at B will show 1/3 of the plates. A question often asked in exams is what is the voltage 'in between' A and B, a Vout placed between them. This is simply looking at the amount of sushi left on the conveyer belt after A has taken theirs. If A's taking 2/3 of it all, only 1/3 will be left and hence Vout = 1/3. By altering the ratios of the resistances (or how hungry person A is) you can change Vout and that is all there is to a potential divider.

AJ
Answered by Adi J. Physics tutor

3576 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

Describe how a capacitor works.


What is the difference between a scalar and a vector quantity?


Is light the fastest? if no, then explain quantum entanglement!


Derive an expression for the time taken, (t) for a test mass to fall to the ground from a height (h) in a uniform gravitational field (g = 9.81 ms^-2)


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning