Potentiometer

A three-terminal variable resistor whose movable contact divides its resistance into two adjustable parts. It can act as a voltage divider or, with two terminals, as an adjustable resistor.

Voltage divider: A circuit that produces an output voltage from a fraction of an input voltage. A potentiometer uses its two track sections as the divider’s adjustable resistances.
Audio taper: A resistance-versus-position curve designed to make an audio control seem perceptually gradual. Many volume potentiometers use this taper because hearing responds roughly logarithmically to loudness.
Linear potentiometer: A potentiometer whose wiper moves along a straight resistive track. Its slider directly adjusts resistance with linear motion, unlike a rotary control.
Variable capacitor: A capacitor whose capacitance can be mechanically or electronically adjusted. It tunes resonant circuits by changing capacitance rather than resistance.
Wiper (electronics): A movable electrical contact that connects to a selected point on a resistive track. The wiper sets the output tap as the potentiometer is turned or slid.
Rotary encoder: A sensor that reports shaft rotation as digital position or motion signals. It can replace a potentiometer when a control needs digital sensing without a resistive track.
Rotary potentiometer: A potentiometer whose wiper moves around a circular resistive track. Its shaft makes it the common form for knobs such as volume controls.
Voltage-controlled amplifier: An amplifier whose gain is controlled by an input voltage. It can adjust audio level electronically without routing the signal through a potentiometer.
Resistance: The opposition a material or component presents to electric current, measured in ohms. The potentiometer changes how its total resistance is divided between terminals.
Joystick: A manual controller whose lever position commands movement or other input. Analog joysticks often use potentiometers to convert lever displacement into voltage.

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