Understanding Potentiometers in Circuit Diagrams

[PhysicStud01]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

No equations required

The Attempt at a Solution

The correct choice is A.
I know that a potentiometer provides some of its resistance of its total resistance and the other part is not contributed.

Current flows from the + of the battery and re-enters the -ve terminal.

What I can't understand is how the current goes in the diagrams shown and how to identify which part of the resistance should be considered and which not.

I've searched in books, on the internet, ... but could not find a proper explanation. If possible please, try to explain how each circuit works, not just the correct answer.

Thanks a lot

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Identical is not exactly the same. If you see difference on a couple may exist more difference on another. But your choice is correct.

 

[PhysicStud01]

Identical is not exactly the same. If you see difference on a couple may exist more difference on another. But your choice is correct.

Sorry, but i did not quite understand what you said

 

[DEvens]

In X you have a wire across the side of the variable resistor between d and the right side. Make yourself a diagram that shows what that looks like. What is the effective resistance of a wire across a resistor?

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Current not continue to x-shape after d because can find a path with no distance. So W and X works the same.

 

[PhysicStud01]

In X you have a wire across the side of the variable resistor between d and the right side. Make yourself a diagram that shows what that looks like. What is the effective resistance of a wire across a resistor?

Current not continue to x-shape after d because can find a path with no distance. So W and X works the same.

Actually, it's not a reason for the correct answer that i want. I can't understand the flow of current and the part of the potentiometer that the resistance is being contributed. can you please explain, in terms of current, resistance - in a physics way - what's really happening in each case. in this way, i think i'll be able to identify the correct choice directly

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Point d and the black ball have the same potential(voltage) because wire connection. So resistance right from d will not have current flow because voltage not exist. (is zero)

 

[PhysicStud01]

Point d and the black ball have the same potential(voltage) because wire connection. So resistance right from d will not have current flow because voltage not exist. (is zero)

but, isn't d a distance? so there will be different potentials. the distance d indicates the resistance?

+ edit: what about when the contact is from the battery itself OR what about as in the last circuit?

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Usually, d is the part of potentiometer distance of whole length D. When potentiometer is in position d that mean the active resistance is $d/D\cdot{R}_{max}$, or the oposite $(D-d)/D\cdot{R}_{max}$.

 

[PhysicStud01]

Usually, d is the part of potentiometer distance of whole length D. When potentiometer is in position d that mean the active resistance is $d/D\cdot{R}_{max}$, or the oposite $(D-d)/D\cdot{R}_{max}$.

when is it the first one (i can't properly understand it) and when is it the opposite>

i know about the potential divider equation, but can't identify which part to use.

can we proceed as this please:
we try to compare each diagram with another. we see the visual difference in the diagram and how this difference affect / or not the result. can you please try to explain it in this way for all of the 4 circuit. this would really help with my understand of the physics of potentiometer, i think.is there a circuit where the potentiometer does not contribute no matter where the slide is??
how can i understand the last one?
how does the additional wire in the 2nd diagram not affect the circuit and is similar to the first one?

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Let d divide potentiometer resistance $R_0$ to two parts: $R_1,\,R_2$ with $R_1+R_2 = R_0$. Let the other resistance to be $R$.
Then. the active resistance for (A) and (X) is $R+R_1$. Can you see the active resistance on the others?

 

[PhysicStud01]

Let d divide potentiometer resistance $R_0$ to two parts: $R_1,\,R_2$ with $R_1+R_2 = R_0$. Let the other resistance to be $R$.
Then. the active resistance for (A) and (X) is $R+R_1$. Can you see the active resistance on the others?

yeah, but isn't this a justification of the answer.

i want to know what really happens?
sometimes the potiometer is connected directly to the battery, sometimes it's the slider.??
it does not have to be a small explanation. It's not a problem for me to have a full detailed description of what's happening, in every details if possible.

THanks

 

[PhysicStud01]

any please, I really need a proper explanation for the poteniometers

 

[NascentOxygen]

You need to understand only that the slider on a potentiometer is a sliding connection to anywhere in the middle* of a length of resistance wire. (By "middle" I mean a variable location anywhere you choose somewhere between one end of the resistance wire and its other end.)

Let's see if we can highlight the similarities and differences in the circuits you are shown.

In arrangement W, use a red pen and trace out the path that a couple of electrons would take if they were to traverse the circuit from one end of the battery to its other end.

Now, do the same with arrangement X. (Take care with this one.)

Post your drawings here.

 

[PhysicStud01]

You need to understand only that the slider on a potentiometer is a sliding connection to anywhere in the middle* of a length of resistance wire. (By "middle" I mean some variable location anywhere you choose between one end of the resistance wire and its other end.)

Let's see if we can highlight the similarities and differences in the circuits you are shown.

In arrangement W, use a red pen and trace out the path that a coupe of electrons would take if they were to traverse the circuit from one end of the battery to its other end.

Now, do the same with arrangement X. (Take care with this one.)

Post your drawings here.

OK, I see.
W, X and Y are clear.

but fo r the last one, I'm still in doubt. i'll consider current instread of electrons.
flow: + battery, 'd', sliding contact, ameeter, - battery (does it neglect the resistor here??)

 

[theodoros.mihos]

Because wire connection, d and black point are on the same voltage so...

 

[NascentOxygen]

There is a zero resistance path ("a short circuit") around the resistor in the final arrangement.

You'd choose the easy path, wouldn't you? Well, so does the current!

 

[PhysicStud01]

Because wire connection, d and black point are on the same voltage so...

There is a zero resistance path ("a short circuit") around the resistor in the final arrangement.

You'd choose the easy path, wouldn't you? Well, so does the current!

THanks. I think it's a bit clear now.

But one lsat thing, how do i know which side of the contact should i take (i have assumed its the left). i believe a poteniometer constant a wire of zero resistnace - that's why one part of it does not contribute as the current flows through the 0 ressitance wire. but this wire could be either on the right or left? then the whole circuit would change, right?

 

[NascentOxygen]

A potentiometer consists of a wire having significant resistance. It is rare that we can regard its resistance as negligible; and never as zero ohms.

A good reason why you might ignore half of the potentiometer is when that end of its resistance wire element is not connected anywhere!