Question

A linear potentiometer is used to measure the position of a sliding machine part. The total resistance of the potentiometer is 10kΩ and the travel length of its wiper is 20cm. A supply voltage of 5 V is used. If the output voltage of the potentiometer is 3.2 V, find: the position of the wiper in centimeters.

Answer 1

The position of the wiper on a linear potentiometer with a given output voltage of 3.2 V, total supply voltage of 5 V, and total resistance of 10kΩ is 12.8 centimeters from the starting point.

Step-by-step explanation:

The position of the wiper in centimeters when the output voltage of a potentiometer is 3.2 V, supply voltage is 5 V, and the total resistance is 10kΩ can be found using the principle that the output voltage is directly proportional to the position of the wiper along the travel length due to the uniform resistance distribution.

Using the formula V_out = (Position / Travel Length) * V_supply, we can rearrange the formula to solve for the position: Position = (V_out / V_supply) * Travel Length.

Plugging in the given values: Position = (3.2 V / 5 V) * 20cm = 0.64 * 20cm = 12.8 cm.

Therefore, the position of the wiper is 12.8 centimeters from the starting point of the potentiometer's travel length.