Two common uses of a potentiometer are:
- Voltage Control and Adjustment: Potentiometers are often used as variable resistors to control electrical devices by adjusting voltage levels. A typical example is the volume control in audio equipment, where the potentiometer adjusts the amplitude of the audio signal. They are also used as voltage dividers to obtain different output voltages in circuits.
- Measuring and Comparing EMF: Potentiometers are used in laboratories to measure the electromotive force (EMF) of a cell accurately by comparing it with a standard cell. They are also used to determine the internal resistance of a battery by balancing the voltage without drawing current from the circuit, ensuring precise measurements.
Additional practical uses include functioning as sensors for displacement or position when connected to moving parts in machinery, and in devices like light dimmers and motor speed controls. Potentiometers serve both as user controls and as precision instruments in various electronic applications.
