Voltage Divider vs. Current Divider

📚 Voltage Divider Explained

A voltage divider is a simple circuit that reduces a larger voltage into a smaller one. It works by using resistors in series. The voltage across each resistor is proportional to its resistance.

• 🔍 Definition: A circuit that divides a voltage into smaller portions.
• 💡 Configuration: Resistors are connected in series.
• 📝 Purpose: To obtain a desired fraction of the source voltage.
• 🧮 Formula: $V_{out} = V_{in} * \frac{R_2}{R_1 + R_2}$, where $R_2$ is the resistor across which $V_{out}$ is measured.

⚡ Current Divider Explained

A current divider, on the other hand, is a circuit that divides a total current into smaller currents. This is achieved by using resistors in parallel. The current through each resistor is inversely proportional to its resistance.

• 🔍 Definition: A circuit that divides a current into smaller portions.
• 💡 Configuration: Resistors are connected in parallel.
• 📝 Purpose: To obtain a desired fraction of the source current.
• 🧮 Formula: $I_{out} = I_{in} * \frac{R_{total}}{R_{branch}}$, where $R_{branch}$ is the resistance of the branch where $I_{out}$ is measured and $R_{total}$ is the equivalent parallel resistance.

📊 Voltage Divider vs. Current Divider: Side-by-Side Comparison

🔑 Key Takeaways

• 🎯 Voltage dividers use series resistors to reduce voltage, while current dividers use parallel resistors to reduce current.
• 🧪 The voltage across a resistor in a voltage divider is proportional to its resistance.
• 💡 The current through a resistor in a current divider is inversely proportional to its resistance.
• 🔢 Understanding the formulas and configurations is key to correctly applying these circuits.