ScienceAges 16-18

Potential divider circuits

Apply the potential divider equation V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in across two series resistors connected to a DC source. Review suitability for your learners before teaching.

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Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Potential divider circuits

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 28 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 50 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 28 V · R₁ = 20 Ω, R₂ = 50 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
2. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 18 Ω and resistor R₂ = 45 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 21 V · R₁ = 18 Ω, R₂ = 45 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
3. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 35 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 10 Ω and resistor R₂ = 40 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 35 V · R₁ = 10 Ω, R₂ = 40 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
4. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 4 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 7 Ω and resistor R₂ = 7 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 4 V · R₁ = 7 Ω, R₂ = 7 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
5. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 14 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 24 Ω and resistor R₂ = 60 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 14 V · R₁ = 24 Ω, R₂ = 60 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
6. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 12 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 4 Ω and resistor R₂ = 4 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 12 V · R₁ = 4 Ω, R₂ = 4 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
7. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 3 Ω and resistor R₂ = 6 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 21 V · R₁ = 3 Ω, R₂ = 6 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
8. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 45 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 12 Ω and resistor R₂ = 48 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 45 V · R₁ = 12 Ω, R₂ = 48 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
9. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 42 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 14 Ω and resistor R₂ = 35 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 42 V · R₁ = 14 Ω, R₂ = 35 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
10. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 56 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 6 Ω and resistor R₂ = 15 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 56 V · R₁ = 6 Ω, R₂ = 15 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
11. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 10 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 30 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 10 V · R₁ = 20 Ω, R₂ = 30 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
12. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 30 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 36 Ω and resistor R₂ = 84 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 30 V · R₁ = 36 Ω, R₂ = 84 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

View the answer key

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Potential divider circuits

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 28 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 50 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
20 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 20 + 50 = 70 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (50 ÷ 70) × 28 V = 20 V.
2. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 18 Ω and resistor R₂ = 45 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
15 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 18 + 45 = 63 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (45 ÷ 63) × 21 V = 15 V.
3. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 35 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 10 Ω and resistor R₂ = 40 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
28 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 10 + 40 = 50 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (40 ÷ 50) × 35 V = 28 V.
4. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 4 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 7 Ω and resistor R₂ = 7 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
2 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 7 + 7 = 14 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (7 ÷ 14) × 4 V = 2 V.
5. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 14 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 24 Ω and resistor R₂ = 60 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
10 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 24 + 60 = 84 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (60 ÷ 84) × 14 V = 10 V.
6. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 12 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 4 Ω and resistor R₂ = 4 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
6 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 4 + 4 = 8 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (4 ÷ 8) × 12 V = 6 V.
7. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 3 Ω and resistor R₂ = 6 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
14 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 3 + 6 = 9 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (6 ÷ 9) × 21 V = 14 V.
8. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 45 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 12 Ω and resistor R₂ = 48 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
36 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 12 + 48 = 60 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (48 ÷ 60) × 45 V = 36 V.
9. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 42 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 14 Ω and resistor R₂ = 35 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
30 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 14 + 35 = 49 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (35 ÷ 49) × 42 V = 30 V.
10. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 56 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 6 Ω and resistor R₂ = 15 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
40 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 6 + 15 = 21 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (15 ÷ 21) × 56 V = 40 V.
11. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 10 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 30 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
6 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 20 + 30 = 50 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (30 ÷ 50) × 10 V = 6 V.
12. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 30 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 36 Ω and resistor R₂ = 84 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
21 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 36 + 84 = 120 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (84 ÷ 120) × 30 V = 21 V.

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioPractice pack · Ages 16-18

Potential divider circuits

Take your time. Show your thinking.

1. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 28 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 50 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 28 V · R₁ = 20 Ω, R₂ = 50 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
2. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 18 Ω and resistor R₂ = 45 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 21 V · R₁ = 18 Ω, R₂ = 45 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
3. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 35 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 10 Ω and resistor R₂ = 40 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 35 V · R₁ = 10 Ω, R₂ = 40 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
4. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 4 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 7 Ω and resistor R₂ = 7 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 4 V · R₁ = 7 Ω, R₂ = 7 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
5. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 14 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 24 Ω and resistor R₂ = 60 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 14 V · R₁ = 24 Ω, R₂ = 60 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
6. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 12 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 4 Ω and resistor R₂ = 4 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 12 V · R₁ = 4 Ω, R₂ = 4 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
7. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 3 Ω and resistor R₂ = 6 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 21 V · R₁ = 3 Ω, R₂ = 6 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
8. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 45 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 12 Ω and resistor R₂ = 48 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 45 V · R₁ = 12 Ω, R₂ = 48 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
9. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 42 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 14 Ω and resistor R₂ = 35 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 42 V · R₁ = 14 Ω, R₂ = 35 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
10. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 56 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 6 Ω and resistor R₂ = 15 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 56 V · R₁ = 6 Ω, R₂ = 15 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
11. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 10 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 30 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 10 V · R₁ = 20 Ω, R₂ = 30 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in
12. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 30 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 36 Ω and resistor R₂ = 84 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
V_in = 30 V · R₁ = 36 Ω, R₂ = 84 Ω · V_out = [R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)] × V_in

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification

Worksheet StudioAnswer key · Ages 16-18

Potential divider circuits

Answers and reasoning. Review before teaching.

1. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 28 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 50 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
20 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 20 + 50 = 70 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (50 ÷ 70) × 28 V = 20 V.
2. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 18 Ω and resistor R₂ = 45 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
15 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 18 + 45 = 63 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (45 ÷ 63) × 21 V = 15 V.
3. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 35 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 10 Ω and resistor R₂ = 40 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
28 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 10 + 40 = 50 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (40 ÷ 50) × 35 V = 28 V.
4. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 4 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 7 Ω and resistor R₂ = 7 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
2 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 7 + 7 = 14 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (7 ÷ 14) × 4 V = 2 V.
5. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 14 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 24 Ω and resistor R₂ = 60 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
10 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 24 + 60 = 84 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (60 ÷ 84) × 14 V = 10 V.
6. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 12 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 4 Ω and resistor R₂ = 4 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
6 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 4 + 4 = 8 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (4 ÷ 8) × 12 V = 6 V.
7. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 21 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 3 Ω and resistor R₂ = 6 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
14 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 3 + 6 = 9 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (6 ÷ 9) × 21 V = 14 V.
8. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 45 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 12 Ω and resistor R₂ = 48 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
36 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 12 + 48 = 60 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (48 ÷ 60) × 45 V = 36 V.
9. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 42 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 14 Ω and resistor R₂ = 35 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
30 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 14 + 35 = 49 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (35 ÷ 49) × 42 V = 30 V.
10. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 56 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 6 Ω and resistor R₂ = 15 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
40 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 6 + 15 = 21 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (15 ÷ 21) × 56 V = 40 V.
11. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 10 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 20 Ω and resistor R₂ = 30 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
6 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 20 + 30 = 50 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (30 ÷ 50) × 10 V = 6 V.
12. In a potential divider circuit connected to a 30 V DC supply, resistor R₁ = 36 Ω and resistor R₂ = 84 Ω are connected in series. Using V_out = (R₂ ÷ (R₁ + R₂)) × V_in, calculate the potential difference across R₂.
21 V
Total resistance R₁ + R₂ = 36 + 84 = 120 Ω. Potential difference across R₂ is V_out = (84 ÷ 120) × 30 V = 21 V.

12 questions · Seed 57 · Age guidance, not curriculum certification