In the domains of Electrical Engineering and Electronics, the concept of a voltage divider is critical. A voltage divider is a simple circuit which turns a large voltage into a smaller one. It consists of two resistors in series, across which the input voltage is applied. The output voltage is the voltage across one of the resistors. This tutorial will guide you through the calculation of the output voltage, or Vout, in a voltage divider circuit.
| Volts | |
| Ohms | |
| Ohms | |
| Vout = Volts |
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The output voltage of a voltage divider can be calculated using the following formula:
Where:
The voltage divider rule is a fundamental concept in electrical engineering, built upon Ohm's law and the laws of series circuits. Georg Simon Ohm, a German physicist and mathematician, first introduced Ohm's law in 1827. His principles provide the foundation for this formula.
Voltage dividers find extensive application in electric and electronic circuits. They are used in creating adjustable voltage supplies or attenuators, sensor circuits, and even in measuring instruments. For example, the volume control in a radio receiver is a type of voltage divider.
Georg Simon Ohm, the physicist after whom Ohm's law is named, was a pivotal figure in the field of electrical engineering. His groundbreaking work in defining the relationship between voltage, current, and resistance forms the basis for many electrical calculations, including the voltage divider equation.
The concept of a voltage divider and the calculation of the output voltage is a fundamental aspect of electrical engineering and electronics. This simple yet powerful circuit arrangement forms the basis of countless devices and systems that we rely on in our everyday lives, showcasing the practical impact of theoretical physics.
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