Exam-style question
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In a potential divider circuit with two resistors, R1 and R2, connected in series to a voltage source V, how does changing R1 affect the output voltage across R2?.
Model answer
What a good answer should say
- Increasing R1 decreases the output voltage across R2, while decreasing R1 increases the output voltage.
- This is because the output voltage is proportional to the ratio of R2 to the total resistance (R1 + R2).
Explanation
Why this works
This answer effectively explains the relationship between the resistor values and the output voltage in a potential divider. It tests the application of the potential divider principle and the understanding of how resistance affects voltage distribution.
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