voltage divider
two resistors in series split a voltage. solve for Vout, R1, R2, or Vin, and check what happens when something is connected to the output.
solve for
for a sensor (velostat, fsr, ldr), this is the sensor
try
Vout
3.333 V
Vout = Vin × R2 / (R1 + R2)
ratio (Vout / Vin)0.667
divider current1.67 mA
power in R12.78 mW
power in R25.56 mW
anything connected to Vout sits in parallel with R2 and pulls the voltage down. enter the input resistance of whatever you are driving (a microcontroller adc pin is usually 10kΩ or more).