The word "voltage divider" is spelled as /'vɒltɪdʒ dɪˈvaɪdə/. The pronunciation guide shows that the first syllable, "volt," is pronounced with the vowel sound /ɒ/ as in "lot." The second syllable, "-age," ends with the vowel sound /ɪdʒ/, pronounced as in "edge." The third syllable, "di-," has the short i sound /ɪ/. The final syllable, "-vider," is pronounced as /dɪˈvaɪdə/, with the vowel sound /aɪ/ as in "eye" and a stress on the second syllable.
A voltage divider is an electrical circuit used to divide a given voltage into smaller voltages based on the ratio of two resistances connected in series. It is primarily employed to provide specific voltage levels required in various electronic applications.
The voltage divider consists of two resistors connected in series, where the input voltage is connected across the resistance pair. The output voltage is extracted from the junction between the two resistors. The value of the output voltage depends on the ratio between the resistances.
The voltage divider equation, derived from Ohm's Law, determines the relationship between the input voltage, the resistance values, and the output voltage. It is given by the formula:
Vout = Vin × (R2 / (R1+R2))
Where Vout is the output voltage, Vin is the input voltage, R1 is the resistance connected to the input side, and R2 is the resistance connected to the output side of the voltage divider.
Voltage dividers are frequently used in various applications such as power supplies, level shifting, impedance matching, sensor circuits, and signal conditioning. They are simple and cost-effective solutions for obtaining precise and controlled voltage levels. However, it is essential to ensure that the resistance values are accurately chosen to avoid any deviations or errors in the output voltage.
The word "voltage divider" is a combination of two terms: "voltage" and "divider".
- "Voltage": The term "voltage" originated from the Latin word "voltāre", which means "to turn" or "to roll". It is derived from the name of the Italian physicist Alessandro Volta, who invented the first electrical battery, known as the "Voltaic Pile", in 1800. The word "voltage" is used to describe the electric potential difference between two points in an electric circuit, indicating the amount of electrical energy per unit charge.
- "Divider": The word "divider" comes from the Latin word "dividere", which means "to separate" or "to divide". It refers to anything that divides or separates one thing into multiple parts or sections.