CLICK HERE FOR INDEX PAGE
 
POTENTIAL DIVIDERS
V. Ryan © 2002 - 2019
 
Potential dividers can be used to split the voltage of a circuit. They are widely used in electronic circuits for setting and adjusting voltages - e.g. in radios, games and toys. You may find that you need a supply of 6 volts and you have a 9 volt battery, your only option may be to make a potential divider. Study the video below and look specifically at the voltage readings sshown for each set of resistors / potential dividers
 
 
Sample calculations are shown below.
 
  When two resistors of equal value (e.g. 1K) are connected across a supply, current will flow through them. If a meter is placed across the supply shown in the diagram it will register 9v. If the meter is then placed between the 0v and the middle of the two resistors it will read 4.5v. The battery voltage has been divided in half.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
ALTERNATIVE WAY OF CALCULATING POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE
 

If the resistor values are changed to 2K and 1K the voltage will be 6v. The voltage at the centre is determined by the ratio of the two resistor values and is given by the formula:

V = supply voltage x R2/R1+R2

V= 9v x 2000

       1000+2000

v = 9v x (2000/3000 ohms)

V = 9v x 0.6666666 ohms

V = 6v

 
     
An alternative way to work out the answer is to:

1. Add both resistors together.

2. Divide the voltage by the sum of both resistors.

3. Take the largest resistor and multiply it by the answer found in stage two.

  1K + 2K = 3K

9v/3k (is the same as 9/3) = 3

2k x 3 = 6v

 
 
 
CLICK HERE FOR MORE POTENTIAL DIVIDER QUESTIONS