Potential Dividers (Cambridge (CIE) A Level Physics)

Potential divider circuit

• When two resistors are connected in series, through Kirchhoff’s Second Law, the potential difference across the power source is divided between them

• Potential dividers are circuits which produce an output voltage as a fraction of its input voltage

• Potential dividers have three main purposes:

  • To provide a variable potential difference

  • To enable a specific potential difference to be chosen

  • To split the potential difference of a power source between two or more components

• Potential dividers are used widely in volume controls and sensory circuits using LDRs and thermistors

• Potential divider circuits are based on the ratio of voltage between components. This is equal to the ratio of the resistances of the resistors in the diagram below, giving the following equation:

• The resistance R₂ on the numerator of the fraction is always the resistance of the component that V_out is connected to

Potential divider circuit diagram

A potential divider circuit is a combination of resistors, voltage in from a source and voltage out

• The input voltage V_in is applied to the top and bottom of the series resistors

• The output voltage V_out is measured from the centre to the bottom of resistor R₂

• The potential difference V across each resistor depends upon its resistance R:

  • The resistor with the largest resistance will have a greater potential difference than the other one from V = IR

  • If the resistance of one of the resistors is increased, it will get a greater share of the potential difference, whilst the other resistor will get a smaller share

• In potential divider circuits, the p.d across a component is proportional to its resistance from V = IR