Potentiometer

A potentiometer is a three-terminal resistor with a sliding or rotating contact that forms an adjustable
voltage divider. If only two terminals are used, one end and the wiper, it acts as a variable resistor or
rheostat.

Principle of operation
The principle of a potentiometer is that the potential dropped across a segment of a
wire of uniform cross-section carrying a constant current is directly proportional to its
length. The potentiometer is a simple device used to measure the electrical
potentials(or compare the e.m.f of a cell).

Potentiometer. Potentiometer is a device used to compare the e.m.f. (electromotive force) of

two cells, to measure the internal resistance of a cell, and potential difference across a resistor.
It consists of a long wire of uniform cross-sectional area and of 10 m in length.

The measuring instrument called a potentiometer is essentially a voltage divider used for

measuring electric potential (voltage); the component is an implementation of the same
principle, hence its name. Potentiometers are commonly used to control electrical devices
such as volume controls on audio equipment.