What is a potential divider?
A potential divider is essentially a series circuit. The characteristics of a series circuit is such that voltage from the source (a battery for example) gets split across the resistors according to the value of the resistances.
An important consideration here is the value of the resistance. As a basic rule, the greater the resistance value, the greater is the voltage drop across that resistor.
Mathematically, for a potential divider circuit with two resistances connected in series (say R1 and R2) to a voltage source (say VS), the voltage drop across R1 (VR1) can be found:
VR1 = (R1/(R1+R2))*VS
And likewise the voltage across R2, VR2 can be found:
VR2 = (R2/(R1+R2))*VS
MK
Related Physics A Level answers
All answers ▸How do I derive Kepler's 3rd law using Newton's Law of gravitation, in the case of a circular orbit?
A source of green laser light has a wavelength of 560nm, what is its frequency? Give your answer to an appropriate number of significant figures and using the correct units.
Explain why a transformer is used in electrical power lines.
what is a standing wave and how is it formed ?