What is the purpose of a voltage divider in a circuit?

The purpose of a voltage divider in a circuit is to decrease voltage. A voltage divider consists of two resistors connected in series, and the output voltage is taken from the point between these two resistors. By selecting appropriate resistor values, the voltage output can be reduced to a desired level, allowing for the safe and effective interfacing of components with different voltage requirements.

This reduction in voltage is crucial in many applications, such as when a lower voltage is needed for a specific component that cannot tolerate higher input voltages. The formula for the output voltage in a voltage divider setup illustrates how the input voltage and the resistor values dictate the reduced voltage. Thus, the voltage divider is a fundamental tool in electrical engineering and circuit design for adjusting and controlling voltage levels within a circuit.