Potentiometer - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
A potentiometer is an adjustable resistor used to control electrical signals, such as volume in audio devices. It varies resistance by turning a knob or sliding a lever.
Definition:
A variable resistor used to control electrical current by adjusting resistance manually.
Synonyms:
rheostat, variable resistor, voltage divider
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
fixed resistor, constant resistor
Common Collocations:
adjust the potentiometer, rotary potentiometer, linear potentiometer, digital potentiometer
Derivatives:
potentiometric, potentiometry
Usage Tips:
Use 'potentiometer' when referring to adjustable resistors in circuits or volume controls.
Common Phrases:
trim the potentiometer, wire the potentiometer, calibrate the potentiometer
Etymology:
Derived from 'potential' + '-meter,' reflecting its use in measuring electrical potential differences.
Examples:
- 1. The potentiometer controls the brightness of the LED.
- 2. Turn the knob to adjust the potentiometer's resistance.
- 3. This circuit includes a 10k ohm potentiometer.
- 4. The audio mixer uses a logarithmic potentiometer for smooth volume changes.