Which term is a device used to adjust and control voltage by sliding a contact along a resistive path?

• A. Overload
• B. Permeability
• C. Potentiometer
• D. Power

Answer: (C)

A potentiometer is the device that adjusts and controls voltage by sliding a contact along a resistive path. As the wiper moves, it taps off a different fraction of the input voltage, turning the arrangement into a voltage divider. This lets you set a precise output voltage or signal level by simply sliding the contact along the resistor. Potentiometers are commonly used for things like volume control or calibration because they provide continuous, adjustable voltage without changing the circuit’s overall design.

The other terms aren’t devices for voltage control: Overload refers to excessive current or fault protection, permeability is a magnetic property of a material, and power is the rate of energy transfer, not a controllable sensor or resistor.