Red Seal Electrician Practice
Wiring and componentsQuestion 676 of 1506

The wiper of a potentiometer is moved toward terminal 1. What happens to the resistance from the wiper to each end terminal?

  1. It falls toward terminal 1 and rises toward terminal 2
  2. It rises toward both terminals
  3. It falls toward both terminals
  4. It rises toward 1 and falls toward 2
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Correct answer: It falls toward terminal 1 and rises toward terminal 2

The wiper gets closer to terminal 1, so less track is between them, and more track is between the wiper and terminal 2.

Source: Lessons in Electric Circuits I: DC (Kuphaldt), 6.1: Voltage Divider Circuits

Practice wiring and components

Questions last reviewed: 18 October 2026