Lesson Worksheet: Using Potential Dividers Physics
In this worksheet, we will practice finding the output voltage of a potential divider and describing how potential dividers can be used in sensing circuits.
Q1:
What type of electronic component could be used instead of one of the resistors in a potential divider to create a light-sensing circuit?
- AA fuse
- BA light-dependent resistor
- CA thermistor
- DA diode
- EAn LED
Q2:
Chloe creates the potential divider shown in the diagram. has a value of 30 Ω, and has a value of 90 Ω. What ratio of output voltage to input voltage does this produce?
Q3:
Isabella has a light bulb that requires a 12 V potential difference across it in order to work. She only has an 18 V battery to power it. Which of the following pairs of resistors can be used to create a potential divider to power the light bulb?
- A200 Ω and 500 Ω
- B8 kΩ and 6 kΩ
- C12 kΩ and 2 kΩ
- D48 Ω and 36 Ω
- E10 kΩ and 5 kΩ
Q4:
A potential divider has an input voltage of 48 V. The resistance of the second resistor, , is 100 kΩ. The output voltage is drawn across the second resistor, . What resistance must the first resistor, , have in order to produce an output voltage of 32 V?
Q5:
A potential divider has an input voltage of 36 V. The resistance of the first resistor, , is 48 Ω. The output voltage is drawn across the second resistor, . What resistance must the second resistor have in order to produce an output voltage of 18 V?
Q6:
A potential divider consists of two resistors, and . The resistance of is 200 Ω, and the resistance of is 400 Ω. The output voltage is drawn across . What input voltage is needed to produce an output voltage of 12 V?
Q7:
The diagram shows a circuit for a potential divider. The value of is 24 kΩ. The value of is 32 kΩ. What input voltage is needed to produce an output voltage of 8 V?
Q8:
The diagram shows a circuit for a potential divider. If the input voltage, , is 30 V, what value of is needed to produce an output voltage of 20 V?
Q9:
A potential divider has an input voltage of 24 V. The resistance of the first resistor, , is 25 Ω. The resistance of the second resistor, , is 75 Ω. The output voltage is drawn across the second resistor. What is the value of the output voltage?
Q10:
The diagram shows a circuit for a potential divider. If the input voltage is 12 V, what value of is needed to produce an output voltage of 4 V?