The potentiometer is a type of resistor used to adjust the voltage in a circuit. It typically consists of a movable sliding contact and a fixed resistor. Its operation is based on the principle of voltage division.
Specifically, when the potentiometer is connected to a circuit, current flows through the resistor. Applying a voltage across the two terminals of the potentiometer creates a voltage drop, which is proportional to the product of the current and the resistance, according to Ohm’s Law. As the sliding contact of the potentiometer moves, it effectively changes the length of the resistor, thus altering the total resistance.
As the sliding contact moves along the resistor, the actual length of contact with the resistor changes, causing the total resistance of the potentiometer to vary. Therefore, by adjusting the position of the sliding contact, the voltage in the circuit can be changed.
In summary, the potentiometer operates by changing the length of the resistor to adjust the voltage in the circuit.