D.A.V.
SCHOOL, ADAMBAKKAM
Sree Nandeeswarar Campus, Chennai 88
Physics Practical Notes
12 std
EXPT NO. 1
OHM’S LAW–RESITIVITYOF THE GIVEN WIRES
AIM:
To determine the specific resistance of the given wires,using Ohm’s Law.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Battery,voltameter,ammeter,Rheostat,key,givenwires,connectingwires.
FORMULA: (copyfromobservation)
PRINCIPLE:
Ohm’s Law states that the electric current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional to
thepotentialdifferenceacrossitsends,providedthatthe physicalstateofthe conductorremainsuncharged.
If l is the current flowing through the conductor and V is the potential difference across its
ends,thenaccordingtoOhm’sLaw
VαIandhence V=RI… (i)
Where R is the constant of proportionality, and is termed as the electrical resistance of the conductor. If
Vis expressed in volts and I in amperes, then R is expressed in Ohm’s. The resistance R depends upon
thematerial anddimensionsoftheconductor.Forawireofuniformcross-
section,theresistancedependsonthelengthland the area of cross-section A. It also depends on the
temperature of the conductor. Atagiventemperature,theresistanceR,
Rαl/A
R=ρl/A…(ii)
Whereρisthespecificresistanceorresistivityandischaracteristictothe materialofwire.
CombiningEqs.(1)and(2),
V= [ρl/A] I
Vα I…(iii)
AlinearrelationshipisobtainedbetweenVandl,i.e.,thegraph
betweenVand lwillbeastraightlinepassingthroughthe
originasshown
Theslopeofthegraphis1/R
R =1/s lop e of th e graph
PROCEDURE:
(a) Cleantheendsoftheconnectingwireswiththehelpofsandpaperinordertoremoveanyinsulatingcoatingon them.
(b) Connectvariouscomponents–resistance,
E K Rh
rheostat, battery,keyvoltmeterandammeterasshown. + -
(c) Notewhetherpointersinmilliammeterand
voltmetercoincidewiththezeromark onthe measuring
scale.IfmAitisnotso,adjustthepointertocoincidewiththezero +
markbyadjusting thescrewprovidednearthebaseofthe .
needleusingascrewdriver. -
(d) Notetherangeandleastcountofthegivenvoltmeterandmilli servation inatabularform.
ammeter.
(e) Insert the key K and slide the rheostat contact to
(i) Using the formulaR = V/I , the
oneofitsextremeends,sothatthecurrentpassingthrough
resistance of the wire isfound.
theresistancewireisminimum.
(j) Using ascrew guage the diameter of
(f) Notethe milliammeterandvoltmeterreadings.
thewireisfound.
(g) Once again, insert the key. Shift therheostat
(k) Knowing R , the resistivity of the wire
contact slightly to increase the appliedvoltage.
Note the milliammeter and voltmeterreading. is found using theformula
𝑹𝑨/l
(h) Repeatstep (l) 𝝆=
‘g’forfourdifferentsettingsoftherheostat.Recordyourob
PRECAUTIONS :
1) The voltameter should be connected in parallel
andammeter in seriesIt should be ensured that the
currententers the positive terminal and leaves the
negativeterminal
2) The key should be inserted only while taking reading,
asexcessive flow of current causes unnecessary
heating ofwire.
3) Zeroerrorinmeasuringinstrumentsshouldbetaken
SOURCES OF ERROR :
1. The wire used may not be of uniform area of cross section.
2. The length of the resistance wire included may not be correct.
3.
RESULT :
The resistivity of the given wires using Ohm’s law is ------------ohm m
EXPT NO. 2
Meter Bridge-Determination of Unknown resistance of a wire
Aim: To find the resistance of the given wire using meter bridge
Requirements: Meter bridge, galvanometer, one way key, resistance box,
Battery Eliminator, jockey, unknown resistance wire, connecting wires.
Principle : Balanced Wheatstone Bridge
Theory:
A meter bridge is the practical form of Wheatstone’sbridge
Experiment is as shown in figure. If there is no deflection in the galvanometer, then
P/Q = R/S
Which is the condition of balance of bridge. We use this relation to find the unknown resistance
S of the given material of wire.
The wire whose resistance is to be found is connected in the arm CD. A resistance box
from which a known resistance can be taken out is connected across the gap AB. A sensitive
galvanometer followed by a jockey is connected between the points B and D so as to slide over
the wire AD. A cell with suitable rheostat is connected across AC.
1
Observation:
(i) To find the unknown resistance of the given wire:
Value of known Balancinglength Balancinglength Resistance
resistance,R l, for R [100-l], for S Of thewire,
S.NO (Ω) S=R(100 −𝑙 )
(cm) (100-l) 𝑙l
Ω
(cm)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mean, S= Ω
Procedure:
Make the connections as shown in figure.Take out suitable resistance R from the
resistance box.
a) Touch the jockey at point A; see that there is deflection on galvanometer on one
side.Touch the jockey now on the point C of the wire. The deflection in galvanometer
should be on the other side. If it is so, connections are correct. If the deflection is one-
sided,adjust R till the deflection is reversed.
b) If the deflections are on both sides ,start sliding the jockey on the wire from end A
towards C.
c) Note the point where the galvanometer shows zero deflection. This is called balance point.
d) Note the length AD and call it as balancing length l, DC will be (100–l).
e) From the formula
R l
S
100l
Knowing Rand l , S can be found.
f) Repeat the above procedure for different value of R.
Precaution:
1) Clean the connecting wires and the connecting points of meter bridge properly.
2) All connections should be neat and tight.
3) Balance point should lie between 40cm and 60cm.
4) Move the jockey gently in the wire and do not keep the jockey and the wire in contact for a
long time.
5) Hold the jockey perpendicular to the wire of Meter Bridge.
Sources of error:
1. There may be error due to contact resistances.
2. Length of the wire used up may not be correctly estimated.
3. There may be a change in resistance due to heating of wires when continuous current
flows for some time.
4. There wire may not be of uniform area of cross-section.
5. The measurement of resistance is affected by the end resistances due to copper strips and
connecting crews
RESULT
The resistance of the given wire using meter Bridge was found to be -------------ohms
EXPT NO. 3
Resistance and Figure of merit of galvanometer
Aim: To determine resistance of a galvanometer by half deflection method and to find its figure
of merit.
Requirements: Galvanometer, battery, two resistance boxes, one way key (two numbers) and
connecting wires.
Theory: A galvanometer is a device used to detect small current in a circuit. It has a coil pivoted
in a radial magnetic field. When electric current is passed through the coil, it gets deflected. Its
deflection is noted by attaching a pointer to the coil. The deflection is proportional to current
passed. A galvanometer has a moderate resistance and has a small current carrying capacity.
The resistance of a galvanometer can be found by half deflection method. The circuit is
shown for this method. Key K is inserted and deflection θ is determined with a suitable value of
R. If E is the emf of cell and I be the current in circuit, the galvanometer resistance,
RS
G RS
Figure of merit of galvanometer:
It is defined as current required for producing deflection of 1 division. It is measured in
ampere/div. When a high resistance R is taken out from resistance box, a current I flows in the
circuit and it produces a deflection θ.
I E/ (R+G)
E
Therefore, k
(RG)
By varying R and noting corresponding value of θ,we can find a set of values of figure of merit.
The mean of these values gives the figure of merit.
Observation: To find G
Resistance Deflection in Shunt R-S Galvanometr
R(Ω) Galvanometer S(Ω) Ѳ/2 Resistance
θ(divisions) θ/2 G = RS
S.No (divisions) (div) (Ω)
R-S
(Ω)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mean(G)= Ω
To find K
Resistance Deflection in R +G Figureof
R(Ω) EMF (Ω) Merit,
Galvanometer G
S.No θ(divisions) (Ω) k= 𝐸
(𝑅+𝐺)𝜃
(A/divisions)
(V)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Mean K = ------------A/div
Procedure:
a) Make the connections as shown.
b) See that the plugs of resistance box are tight.
c) Introduce a resistance of 5000(Ω) from the resistance box R and then insert the K1 only.
d) Adjust the value of R so that the deflection in the galvanometer is maximum
(say30div)
e) Note the deflection. Let it be θ i.e.,θ = 30 div.
f) Now, insert the key K2.Without changing the value of R, adjust the value of S, such
that deflection in galvanometer reduces exactly to half the value obtained. i.e., θ/2.
g) Note the value of S.
h) Repeat the above steps for various values of R.
Precautions:
a) All the connections should be neat, clean and tight.
b) Ensure that the plugs of resistance box are tight.
c) Initially a high resistance from the resistance box should be introduced or else a small
resistance can damage the galvanometer.
Sources of error:
1. The emf of the battery may change during the experiment.
2. Calibration of resistance in resistance boxes may not be correct.
3. Plugs in resistance boxes may not be tight and may have contact resistance.
Result:
1). The resistance of galvanometer is found to be Ω.
2) Figure of merit of galvanometer is A/division
