PsychonautQQ said:My textbook says that in a voltage divider (voltage source Vin, then a resistor, then another path that leads to Vout, Resistor two, Ground, that it is a bad idea to use variable resistors for BOTH of the resistors (but it is okay if you just do one or the other). Does anybody know why?
A variable resistor is an electronic component that can change its resistance, typically by adjusting a physical knob or slider. It is also known as a potentiometer or rheostat.
A variable resistor works by changing the length of the resistive material within the component. This changes the amount of resistance, which in turn affects the voltage within the circuit. By adjusting the resistance, the output voltage can be varied.
A voltage divider is a circuit that divides a voltage into smaller parts. It consists of two or more resistors connected in series, with the output voltage taken across one of the resistors.
Variable resistors are used in a voltage divider to control the output voltage. By adjusting the resistance of the variable resistor, the voltage across the other resistor can be varied, thus changing the output voltage of the circuit.
Variable resistors in voltage dividers are commonly used in electronic devices such as volume controls, light dimmers, and temperature controllers. They are also used in industrial equipment for precise voltage control and adjustment.