Explore the idea
Potential dividers
Explore potential dividers within electrical circuits. Use conservation of charge at junctions and conservation of energy around loops. Real sources have internal resistance, so terminal voltage can change with current.
Specification outcomes (4)
- 4.3.3(a) Describe potential divider circuits with fixed components and potentiometers.
- 4.3.3(b) Describe potential divider circuits with variable components such as LDRs or thermistors.
- 4.3.3(c)(i) Use potential divider equations Vout = (R₂ / (R₁ + R₂)) × Vin and V₁ / V₂ = R₁ / R₂.
- 4.3.3(c)(ii) Use techniques and procedures to investigate potential divider circuits including sensors.
H156 v2.0 · May 2026
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