Voltage divider
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
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| Voltage divider schematic diagram |
Shown here are three different methods of circuit construction: on a breadboard, on a terminal strip, and ”free-form.” Try building the same circuit each way to familiarize yourself with the different construction techniques and their respective merits. The ”free-form” method – where all components are connected together with ”alligator-” style jumper wires – is the least professional, but appropriate for a simple experiment such as this. Breadboard construction is versatile and allows for high component density (many parts in a small space), but is quite temporary. Terminal strips offer a much more permanent form of construction at the cost of
low component density.
Select three resistors from your resistor assortment and measure the resistance of each one with an ohmmeter. Note these resistance values with pen and paper, for reference in your circuit calculations.
Connect the three resistors in series, and to the 6-volt battery, as shown in the illustrations.
Measure battery voltage with a voltmeter after the resistors have been connected to it, noting this voltage figure on paper as well. It is advisable to measure battery voltage while its powering the resistor circuit because this voltage may differ slightly from a no-load condition. We saw this effect exaggerated in the ”parallel battery” experiment while powering a high-wattage lamp: battery voltage tends to ”sag” or ”droop” under load. Although this three-resistor circuit should not present a heavy enough load (not enough current drawn) to cause significant voltage ”sag,” measuring battery voltage under load is a good scientific practice because it provides more realistic data.
low component density.
Select three resistors from your resistor assortment and measure the resistance of each one with an ohmmeter. Note these resistance values with pen and paper, for reference in your circuit calculations.
Connect the three resistors in series, and to the 6-volt battery, as shown in the illustrations.
Measure battery voltage with a voltmeter after the resistors have been connected to it, noting this voltage figure on paper as well. It is advisable to measure battery voltage while its powering the resistor circuit because this voltage may differ slightly from a no-load condition. We saw this effect exaggerated in the ”parallel battery” experiment while powering a high-wattage lamp: battery voltage tends to ”sag” or ”droop” under load. Although this three-resistor circuit should not present a heavy enough load (not enough current drawn) to cause significant voltage ”sag,” measuring battery voltage under load is a good scientific practice because it provides more realistic data.
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| Voltage divider illustration |
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| Voltage divider illustration 01 |
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| Voltage divider illustration 02 |
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