Final answer:
A stiff voltage divider employs a bleeder resistor with much greater resistance than the load to ensure a safer and slower discharge of the capacitor, minimizing hazardous conditions and energy waste.
Step-by-step explanation:
A stiff voltage divider uses a bleeder resistor which is much greater than the resistance of the load. In electronics, this is an important safety feature, particularly for circuits involving large capacitors that can store a significant charge even when the power is turned off. The bleeder resistor ensures that the stored charge in the capacitor dissipates safely over time, helping to prevent shock hazards.
Why must the bleeder resistance be much greater than the load resistance? The primary reason is to keep the time constant for discharging the capacitor reasonably high. A larger resistance value in the bleeder resistor means that there is less chance of it affecting the rest of the circuit when the power is off, as well as providing a safer discharge rate. Moreover, a high bleeder resistance compared to the load resistance minimizes the energy wasted as heat during normal operation of the circuit.