Loading and Buffers

Lower Load Impedance Pulls Output Down

Changing the load changes the measured output, so the load is part of the circuit claim.

Changing the load changes the measured output voltage. Exact arithmetic here means exact results for the stated model inputs; measured inputs still carry uncertainty and significant-figure limits.

highlighted = computed this step

A larger load impedance keeps more voltage

With load 6 ohms, the load receives 12 volts.

16⋅68=1216\cdot {6\over 8}=12
Lighter loadThe larger load gets the larger voltage share.2 ohm6 ohmV12 V+-4 V+-12 Vresistive

A lower load impedance pulls the output down

With load 2 ohms, the output is only 8 volts.

16⋅24=816\cdot {2\over 4}=8
Heavier loadChanging the load changes the checked output.2 ohm2 ohmV8 V+-8 V+-8 Vresistive