Potentiometer
A variable resistor with three terminals-one on each end of the resistor and one "wiper" which contacts the resistor midpoint to indicate a variable position.
The output is a voltage that is variable depending upon the position of the wiper contact. The potentiometer is commonly referred to as a variable voltage divider.
It, in effect, converts mechanical information into an electrical signal.
See also: Resistance.
Subjects: Electronics Physics