What is the difference between an adjustable resistor and a potentiometer?

Answer

Hi Jolien,

These are synonyms. Normally this refers to the component in which the resistance between the center tap and the fixed connection changes by turning or sliding a knob. The potentiometer can be used in that setup as a voltage divider. The potentiometer therefore has 3 connections.

If you want, you can say that a variable resistor only has 2 connections, but I have not yet encountered this as an electronic component in the shop.

Kind regards,
Luc.