What type of resistor is described as a three-terminal variable resistor that operates as a voltage divider?

A potentiometer is indeed a three-terminal variable resistor that functions as a voltage divider. Its design consists of a resistive element along which the wiper can move to tap an intermediate voltage. By adjusting the position of the wiper along this resistive path, the user can divide the input voltage into a smaller, adjustable output voltage across the load connected to the wiper terminal. This makes the potentiometer a versatile tool in applications such as audio volume control, where varying the level of output is necessary.

In contrast, a capacitor is an electronic component that stores electrical energy in an electric field, and it has different applications, such as filtering and energy storage, but it does not function as a voltage divider. An inductor, which stores energy in a magnetic field, also does not serve the purpose of voltage division. Similarly, a transformer is used to change the voltage level in alternating current (AC) circuits and operates on electromagnetic induction principles, rather than as a three-terminal device for variable resistance or voltage division.

Therefore, the correct identification of a potentiometer highlights its role in voltage division through its adjustable resistance feature.