How does a potentiometer work?
A potentiometer is an adjustable voltage divider.
Imagine a horseshoe made of resistive material.
5V on one end; GND on the other.
The track limits current, and the full 5V drops across it.
Current still flows through the track.
A movable contact — the wiper — samples the voltage along the arc.
- Close to the 5V end → about 5V
- Close to the GND end → about 0V
- In the middle → about 2.5V on a linear potentiometer
Move the wiper
Ideal linear potentiometer, 5V supply, and a high-impedance analog input.
With the LDR, light changes the divided voltage.
With a pot, WE change it.