Introduction
 

Potential dividers are widely used in electronic circuits to provide a variable output potential difference from a fixed voltage supply. They are commonly found in devices such as volume controls, light sensors and temperature sensors, making them an important practical application of electrical circuit theory.
 

In this topic, students learn how potential dividers work, calculate output potential differences, and investigate how replacing one resistor with a sensor allows electronic systems to respond automatically to changes in their environment.
 

AQA A Level Physics Specification: 3.2.4.5 The Potential Divider
 

What You Need to Know
 

• Understand the arrangement and operation of a potential divider circuit.

• Explain how a potential divider produces an output potential difference.

• Calculate the output potential difference from a potential divider.

• Understand how changing one resistance affects the output voltage.

• Describe the use of thermistors and light-dependent resistors (LDRs) in potential divider circuits.

• Explain how thermistors respond to changes in temperature.

• Explain how LDRs respond to changes in light intensity.

• Analyse practical applications of potential dividers in automatic sensing and control systems.

• Interpret and solve examination questions involving potential divider circuits.
   

Downloadable Topic Pack
 

The Potential Divider Topic Pack Exam Questions and Answers
 

Related Topics
 

• EMF and Internal Resistance

• Energy & Power

• IV Characteristics and Electricity Basics

• Resistivity & Superconductors

• Electric Field Strength