From 25aa9be199e2513c6a74f449d84b375e89a262a8 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Andrew Kesterson Date: Thu, 4 Jun 2026 18:56:38 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] WIP --- 05-photoresistors/README.md | 4 ++-- 1 file changed, 2 insertions(+), 2 deletions(-) diff --git a/05-photoresistors/README.md b/05-photoresistors/README.md index d94e540..e06878b 100644 --- a/05-photoresistors/README.md +++ b/05-photoresistors/README.md @@ -44,7 +44,7 @@ Okay, hear me out. Consider this circuit, wired up on a breadboard: +5V --> 10k Resistor --> Wire --> GND ``` -Our intuitio here says that, on a 5v current, a 10k resistor should give us an output of about 2.5v, right? Right, let's go with that. +Our intuition here might say that, on a 5v current, a 10k resistor should give us an output of about 2.5v, right? Right, it's not a perfect assumption, but let's go with that. * Put your voltmeter red probe on the +5V rail side of the resistor, and the black probe on GND. You will see 5v. * Put your voltmeter red probe on the downstream side of the resistor, away from the +5V rail. Put your black probe on GND. What do you think you will see? 2.5v? No. You will see 0v. @@ -78,5 +78,5 @@ The voltage reading of any given voltage divider is going to be equal to the inp $$ Vout = 5 * \frac{10k}{10k + 10k} $$ -... Or `Vout = 2.5v`. For fun, stick different value resistors in the R1 and R2 place. Probe it, and see how the value at the tap changes. +... Or `Vout = 2.5v`. For fun, stick different value resistors in the R1 and R2 place. Probe it, and see how the value at the tap changes. And THAT is why potentiometers act like a voltage divider - because by turning the dial, you can change the sweep of the wiper, which changes the size of the resistive material on both sides of the wiper, which changes the resistance value of the material on both sides of the wiper, changing the resistance values of the two sides of the potentiometer!