Variable Resistors and Potentiometers

The potentiometer consists of three terminals among which two are fixed and one is variable. The two fixed terminals of the potentiometer are connected to both ends of the resistive element called track and third terminal is connected to the sliding wiper. The wiper that moves along the resistive element varies the resistance of the potentiometer. The resistance of the potentiometer is changed when the wiper is moved over the resistive path.