The rather simple circuit shown below is known as a voltage divider: The symbol consisting of three horizontal lines is represents ground" and can be defined as the point where the potential is zero. The voltage divider is widely used in circuits and a single voltage source can be used to provide reduced voltage to a load resistor as shown in the second part of the figure. (a) What is the output voltage Vout of circuit (a) in terms of Ri" Rz: and Vin (b) What is the output voltage Vout of circuit (b) in terms of Ri Re: Rp and Vin
Vin R1
RL
0 V
(a)
(b)
1 R
Vout
Vout
R2
Ra