Complete Electronics Self-Teaching Guide with Projects

The Voltage Divider

23 The circuit shown in Figure 1.7 is called a voltage divider. It is the basis for many important theoretical and practical ideas you encounter throughout the entire field of electronics.

Figure 1.7

The object of this circuit is to create an output voltage (V₀) that you can control based upon the two resistors and the input voltage. V₀ is also the voltage drop across R₂.

Question

What is the formula for V₀? _____

Answers

R₁ + R₂ = R_T, the total resistance of the circuit.

24 A simple example can demonstrate the use of this formula.

Question

For the circuit shown in Figure 1.8, what is V₀? _____

Figure 1.8

Answers

25 Now, try these problems.

Questions

What is the output voltage for each combination of supply voltage and resistance?

A. V_S = 1 volt, R₁ = 1 ohm, R₂ = 1 ohm

V₀ = _____

B. V_S = 6 volts, R₁ = 4 ohms, R₂ = 2 ohms

V₀ = _____

C. V_S = 10 volts, R₁ = 3.3. kΩ, R₂ = 5.6 kΩ

V₀ = _____

D. V_S = 28 volts, R₁ = 22 kΩ, R₂ = 6.2 kΩ

V₀ = _____

Answers

A. 0.5 volts

B. 2 volts

C. 6.3 volts

D. 6.16 volts

26 The output voltage ...