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Potential Dividers: 2015 Edexcel A-Level Physics

This document discusses potential and potential dividers in an electrical circuit. It explains that potential decreases linearly from the positive terminal of a battery to the negative terminal. The potential divider equation is introduced which calculates the output voltage (VOUT) of a potential divider circuit based on the input voltage (VIN) and the resistances of the two resistors (R1 and R2) in the divider. An example problem demonstrates how to use the equation to calculate VOUT. Finally, potential divider applications are discussed, with a light dependent resistor circuit provided as an example of how potential dividers can be used to control output based on input conditions.

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manoj
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104 views9 pages

Potential Dividers: 2015 Edexcel A-Level Physics

This document discusses potential and potential dividers in an electrical circuit. It explains that potential decreases linearly from the positive terminal of a battery to the negative terminal. The potential divider equation is introduced which calculates the output voltage (VOUT) of a potential divider circuit based on the input voltage (VIN) and the resistances of the two resistors (R1 and R2) in the divider. An example problem demonstrates how to use the equation to calculate VOUT. Finally, potential divider applications are discussed, with a light dependent resistor circuit provided as an example of how potential dividers can be used to control output based on input conditions.

Uploaded by

manoj
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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2015 EdExcel A-Level Physics

Topic 3

Potential
Dividers
9/17/2018
Potential at a point
Consider 4 x 1.5V batteries connected in series

The potential here is 6V

The potential here is 4.5V


The potential here is 3V
The potential here is 1.5V

Take this point as being 0V

17/09/2018
Potential at a point cont.
Now put these batteries into a circuit:

The potential The potential


here is 6V here is 0V

This means that, as we move around the circuit, the voltage


should drop from 6V to 0V

17/09/2018
Potential along a uniform wire.

The potential The potential


here is 6V here is 0V

Potential along a
uniform wire falls in a
Potential 6 linear fashion from + to
(V) - terminals
3

0
17/09/2018 Position along wire
Potential at a point cont.
Now put these batteries into a circuit:

The potential The potential


here is 6V here is 0V

6V 3V 0V
Assuming the wires have negligible resistance, and the resistors
are identical, the potentials will be as shown

17/09/2018
Potential Dividers
VIN

R1

VOUT
R2

0V 0V

The Potential Divider equation:

(R2)
VOUT VIN x
(R1 + R2)
17/09/2018
Example
Solution:
According to potential
1.5V
divider equation 10 
VOUT

𝑅2 25 
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 𝑉𝐼𝑁 ×
𝑅1 + 𝑅2 0V
0V
25
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 1.5 × What is the output
10 + 25
voltage (Vout) ?
𝑉𝑂𝑈𝑇 = 1.07𝑉

17/09/2018
Practice questions
12V 50V
50  20 
VOUT VOUT

50  5
0V 0V 0V
0V
0V

25V
50 
VOUT

30 
0V
0V
17/09/2018
Potential divider applications
This is a potential Vin
divider used to switch
devices on/off when the
ambient light reaches a VOUT
preset level set by the
variable resistor 0V
When the light intensity on the LDR increases, its resistance
will ________. This causes VOUT to _______ so the output
device will probably turn _____. The variable resistor can be
adjusted to change the ________ of the whole device.

Words – decrease, sensitivity, increase, on


17/09/2018

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