What is the difference between normal resistance and potentiometer?
Resistors are either fixed value, or variable. A variable resistor has three terminals; one at either end and one attached to a moving 'wiper', and can be connected either as a potentiometer or as a rheostat. So 'potentiometers' and a 'rheostats' are different applications for variable resistors. A potentiometer uses all three terminals, and is used to control levels of potential; whereas a rheostat uses just two of the three terminals, and is used to control current.