Simple potentiometer circuit help

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a simple potentiometer circuit designed to measure unknown voltages. The original poster seeks assistance in understanding the relationship between the known source voltage, the unknown voltage, and the resistances in the circuit.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants explore the relationship between the voltages and resistances in the circuit, questioning the implications of current being zero in the ammeter. Some participants suggest using Kirchhoff's laws to analyze the circuit further.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing insights and questioning the assumptions made about the circuit. There is an emphasis on clarifying the conditions under which the voltages are measured and the role of the ammeter in the circuit.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the absence of a visual representation of the circuit, which may hinder the clarity of suggestions. There are also references to guidelines for posting in the forum, indicating a structured approach to the discussion.

brad sue
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Hi ,please Can I have some suggestions to do this exercice:

A simple potentiometer circuit used to measure unknown voltages accurately is shown below.
Here Vs is the known source voltage, Vxis the unknown voltage, and the resistor is a variable one from which the values R1 and R2 can be read from the position of the pointer. these resistances are varied until the current in the ammeter is zero. Show that the unknown voltage then has the value Vx=Vs*R2/(R1+R2).


I can not create a picture.
Thank you

B
 
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How can we give you correct suggestion without seeing your picture?
 
brad sue said:
Hi ,please Can I have some suggestions to do this exercice:
Brad, please read the guidelines for posting in the coursework forum.
 
Here's my solution to your problem

[tex]V_S=I(R_1+R_2)[/tex]

[tex]V_X=IR_2[/tex](because the current through ammeter is [tex]0[/tex]).

Then the answer is obvious[tex]V_X=\frac{V_SR_2}{R_1+R_2}[/tex][/color]
 
phucnv87 said:
Here's my solution to your problem

[tex]V_S=I(R_1+R_2)[/tex]

[tex]V_X=IR_2[/tex](because the current through ammeter is [tex]0[/tex]).

Then the answer is obvious[tex]V_X=\frac{V_SR_2}{R_1+R_2}[/tex][/color]


Thank you, but please can you give me more precision about Vx=I*R2?
if there is current in the ammeter, this means that Vx should equal to 0 since U=R*I right?
 
Using the first and the second Kirchhoff's law you will easily find out what I mean and remember to use [tex]I_A=0[/tex] in your equations.[/color]
 
Brad Sue, your current i2 = 0 , once the resistors have been properly adjusted.
The I in "IR_2" ... (in post#5) is your i1 ... R1 and R2 have same current
since none of it goes thru the ammeter.
 

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