Voltage divider and potentiometer

[uzair_ha91]

This is so far I've learnt...potentiometer is a potential divider, it also functions to measure the unknown emf of a cell (E_x).
Here is the image of a potential divider:

And here is one of a potentiometer:

The thing that confuses me here is that if you compare both images, you will see that the battery terminals are reversed in the next one...What would have happened if you had the circuit in image 1 and had added the unknwn emf source and galvanometer in the parallel without changing anything else? Does it make difference in the operation if you have a potential divider and you reversed the terminals of the battery?
(Hope this all makes sense to you guyz cause I'm pretty confused here)

 

[Dadface]

Hello uzair show what you already know and then report back.

 

[astrokreng]

I can clarify the differences and functions of a voltage divider and a potentiometer. A voltage divider is a circuit that divides a voltage into smaller fractions using resistors. It is commonly used to provide a specific voltage to a particular component in a circuit. On the other hand, a potentiometer is a variable resistor that can be adjusted to provide a specific voltage output. It is often used to measure an unknown EMF or to control the voltage in a circuit.

In the first image, the voltage divider is shown with a fixed resistor and a variable resistor. This allows for a specific voltage output to be obtained by adjusting the variable resistor. In the second image, the potentiometer is shown with two fixed resistors and a variable resistor. The difference in the battery terminal placement does not affect the operation of the circuit. The potentiometer still functions as a voltage divider, but with the added feature of being able to adjust the voltage output.

It is important to note that in both circuits, the voltage output is dependent on the resistance values of the resistors. Changing the battery terminal placement does not change the resistance values and therefore does not affect the operation of the circuit. However, if the resistance values were to be changed, then the voltage output would be affected.

In summary, while both a voltage divider and a potentiometer function as potential dividers, they have different designs and functions. The placement of the battery terminals does not affect their operation, but the resistance values of the resistors do.