Voltage Divider Calculator

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 V_out, in a voltage divider circuit.

Example Formula

The output voltage of a voltage divider can be calculated using the following formula:

Where:

1. V_out is the output voltage.
2. V_in is the input voltage.
3. R_a and R_b are the resistance values of the two resistors in the voltage divider circuit.

Who wrote/refined the formula

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.

Real Life Application

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.

Key individuals in the discipline

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.

Interesting Facts

1. Voltage dividers are commonly used in circuits involving operational amplifiers, or 'op-amps', and also in the biasing of bipolar junction transistors (BJTs).
2. Ohm's discovery of his law was met with resistance and took many years to be accepted by the scientific community.
3. The widespread usage of voltage dividers in electronic devices has made them an indispensable part of modern technology.

Conclusion

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.