ARRL Technician Practice Exam 2025 - Free Technician License Practice Questions and Study Guide

A potentiometer is a type of variable resistor that is commonly used as an adjustable volume control in audio equipment and other electronic devices. It consists of a resistive element, typically a carbon or wire-wound track, with a movable wiper. As you turn the knob of the potentiometer, the position of the wiper changes along the resistive track, altering the resistance and thereby controlling the voltage output. This is directly related to the audio signal and allows users to adjust the volume to their preference.

Understanding the function of a potentiometer is essential, especially in applications involving audio signals where the ability to control gain or volume is required. The other components mentioned, while they have their uses in electronic circuits, do not serve the same purpose. Resistors provide fixed resistance; capacitors store electrical energy briefly; and inductors store energy in a magnetic field but do not adjust volume levels like a potentiometer does.