Question

1. Create a voltage divider. Design a circuit which can provide a fraction of the voltage ( x V) out of the regular batteries. The equipment you can use: 2 D-batteries (about 1.5V each) and one piece of nichrome wire and some connecting wires. If you need to make 2V, how would you connect it? Draw a detailed circuit to show the connection. Explain in detail why it works. Use a voltmeter to check your design. Draw the voltmeter on your circuit to show how you connect it to measure the voltage.

Answer 1

1. the following is a voltage divider

that can provide fraction of output voltage x*V ( where V is total input voltage)

for total length of nichrome wire L, and location of the tap from the top edge of the wire be x

then

voltage read by the voltmeter V'

V' = xV/L

now, V = 3 V ( 1.5 + 1.5 V) in sereies

for output V' = 2 V

2 = x*3/L

x/L = 2/3

hence when the tap is connected in ratio of 2/3, we get voltage output in the same ratio, 2/3