ACTIVITY -1

• AIM :To assemble a household circuit comprising three

bulbs, three (on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.

• MATERIALS REQUIRED :
Three bulbs (40 W, 220 V each), three (on/off) switches,
socket, a fuse of 1.0 A, plug, flexible connecting wire, main
switch
• CIRCUIT DIAGRAM :
THEORY :
All the electrical appliances in domestic circuits(Household circuits)
are connected in parallel to to source.
Therefore, if P1 , P2 , P3 , P4 , P5 , ... be the power consumed by
different domestic electrical appliances in a circuit then the total
power consumption, P at any instant is given by
P = P1 + P2 + P3 + P4 + P5 + ... If electric potential is V, then
current I drawn from the mains is given by
I= P / V where P is in watt, V in volt and I in ampere.
In order to protect the appliances from damage, when accidentally a
high current is drawn (e.g. when the terminals of the appliance get
accidentally connected), a fuse of rating little higher (10 to 20 per
cent higher than the current normally drawn) is connected in series
with the set of appliances
PROCEDURE :
1. Bulbs B1, B2, B3 are connected in series with switches S1, S2
and S3 respectively.
2. Bulbs B1, B2, B3 along with S1, S2, S3 are connected in
parallel with each other as shown in Figure.
3. Fuse F is connected in series with the set up as shown in
Figure.
4. Plug and the socket are connected at the end of two leads.
For earthing a wire is connected from the earth pin of the
plug.
3. Plug is inserted in the socket provided in the main electric
board.
4. By pressing the switches S1, S2, S3 one by one functioning of
each bulb is checked.
5. All the switches are pressed simultaneously and
observations are noted.
RESULT
Household circuit assembly is complete and installed with
safety.
PRECAUTIONS
Care should be taken while working with mains.
Carefully determine the rating of the fuse by calculating
the maximum current drawn by the circuit
 ACTIVITY-2
Aim
To draw the diagram of a given open circuit comprising at least a
battery, resistor/rheostat, key, ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the
components that are not connected in proper order and correct
the circuit and also the circuit diagram.

Figure: 1 Figure: 2
PRINCIPLE
An electrical circuit is functional only if all the
components of the circuit are connected in
proper order, assuming that all circuit
components/devices are in working condition
and key is closed. An open circuit means a
break in some part of a circuit which could be
deliberate such as a key in open position or a
fault such as broken wire or burnt out
component(s) or loose connection.
PROCEDURE :
• Necessary open circuit diagrams are drawn.
• The various components which have not been
connected in proper order, are marked.
• Correct circuit diagram is drawn.
• Electrical components are connected according
to corrected circuit diagram.
• Key is closed to verify if the corrected circuit is
functional.
Observation
Figure:1

Figure:2
 RESULT :
The electrical circuit assembled as per the
corrected circuit diagram is functional.

PRECAUTIONS :
• Ends of the connecting wires should be cleaned
with sand paper before making connections.
• The positive terminal of the battery should be
connected to the positive terminal of the voltmeter
and positive terminal of the ammeter.
• The ammeter should be connected in series with
the resistor and the voltmeter should be connected
in parallel with it.
 ACTIVITY -3
AIM: To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a steady current.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
Potentiometer, A fully charged battery or battery eliminator, a low resistance rheostat, a voltmeter of range (0-6.0 V), an
ammeter (0-3) A, a one way key, a jockey, a set square, connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

Theory
For a potentiometer with wire of uniform material density and thickness (cross-sectional area) carrying a steady current,
potential drop is proportional to the length of the wire.

K = V/L

where K is the drop of potential per unit length. It is called the potential gradient.

Procedure

1. A circuit diagram showing the scheme of connections as in figure is drawn.

2. The insulation from the ends of the connecting copper wires is removed with a sand paper.
 3. The positive pole of the battery (eliminator) (a battery of constant e.m.f.)is connected to the zero end (P) of the
potentiometer and the negative pole through a one-way key, an ammeter and a low resistance rheostat to the other end
(Q) of the potentiometer.
4. The positive terminal of the voltmeter is connected to the end P of the potentiometer and the negative terminal to the
jockey.
5. The jockey is touched to the end Q of the potentiometer.
6. The key is closed and the rheostat is set such that the voltmeter gives full scale deflection (3 V).
7. The jockey is touched at end P at 0 (zero) cm and the voltmeter will give zero deflection.
8. The jockey is touched at marks separated by 50 cm length of wire and the voltmeter reading in each case is noted.

OBSERVATION TABLE:

Calculation from graph

A graph is to be plotted choosing a suitable scale, for the values of potential drop V along y-axis and length l along x-axis .

RESULT: The V/L for the given wire is found to be __________V/cm

 Class – XII
Physics
Activities from section -B
To identify a diode, an LED, a resistor and a
capacitor from a mixed collection of such items.

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 ACTIVITY -4
AIM:
To identify a diode, an LED, a resistor and a capacitor from a
mixed collection of such items.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
Multimeter, a collection of diode, LED, resistor and capacitor.
THEORY:
For identification, appearance and working of each item will have to be
considered.
1. A diode is a two terminal device. It conducts when forward biased and does
not conduct when reverse biased. It does not emit light while conducting.
Hence, it does not glow.

2. A LED (light emitting diode) is also a two terminal device. It also conducts
when forward biased and does not conduct when reverse biased. It emits light
while conducting. Hence, it glow.

3. A resistor is a two terminal device. It conducts equally in both directions and

hence has no concept positive or negative terminals. It conducts even when
operated with A.C. voltage.
4. A capacitor is also a two terminal device. The terminal with the positive polarity is
known as Anode and other terminal is Cathode. Generally, terminals are labeled as
either + or -. In some cases arrows play a vital role in identifying the polarity of the
capacitors. In certain capacitors have variation in the height of the terminals, the longer
one is positive.
It does not conduct but stores some charge when dc voltage is applied. When a
capacitor is connected to a D.C. source, then multimeter shows full scale current initially
but it decay to zero quickly. It is because that initially a capacitor draw a charge.
Diagram: The components to be identified are shown in figure.
PROCEDURE:
1. Check the physical appearance of the component.
2. Use of multimeter for checking the continuity. For this turn the selector (in
resistance mode- highest range). The probe metal ends are inserted in terminal
marked as common (black one) and P (red or + ve). Connect the multimeter
terminals to the component terminals and watch for multimeter deflection.

(a) Look for colour bands, if it has a typical set of three colour bands followed by
a silver or gold band, the component is a resistor.

(b) If the multimeter shows an equal deflection in both the directions, the
component is a resistor.
(c) If the deflection is accompanied with emission of light, in one direction and a
much less or zero deflection in the other direction the component is a LED.

(d) If the multimeter does not show any deflection in one direction and shows
deflection with no light emission in the other direction then, the component is
a diode.

(e) If the multimeter does not show any deflection on connecting its terminals
either way to the component, it is a capacitor. There may be momentary
deflection, if capacitance of capacitor is large.
Observations:
Serial No. of State of conduction/ Name of the device
No. terminals Possible current flow

Two Conducts in one direction only Diod

1 without any emission of light

Two Conducts in one direction only LED

2 with emission of light

Two Conducts in both directions Resistor

3

Two Does not conduct, gives an Capacitor

4 initial deflection which decays
to zero
RESULT:
A diode, a LED, a resistor and a capacitor are identified
respectively from a mixed collection.

PRECAUTION:
While obtaining resistance i.e. checking for the state of conduction
of any component, clean its leads properly.

SOURCES OF ERROR:
1. When the metal ends of a multimeter leads are touched, the
multimeter should show zero resistance. If it does not show it,
bring the pointer to zero using ‘Zero Adj knob’ on the multimeter. If
it is not done, the resistance measurements are not reliable.

2. While checking resistance of a component, avoid touching

either of the metal ends of the multimeter leads. Body resistance
in parallel with component resistance can affect the resistance
measurement.
 Class – XII
Physics
Activities from section -B
To obtain a lens combination with specified focal
length by using two lenses from a given set of
lenses.
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 ACTIVITY -5
AIM:
To obtain a lens combination with specified focal length by using
two lenses from a given set of lenses.

MATERIALS REQUIRED:
A set of thin convex lenses, lens holder with stand, a white painted
vertical wooden board (screen), a metre scale.
THEORY:
Power of lens
The ability of a lens to converge or diverge the rays passing through it is called
the power of the lens.
The reciprocal of focal length in metre is called power of lens in dioptre (D).
P = 1/ f, power of a convex lens is taken as positive.
If f1 and f2 be the focal lengths of the two lenses and F be the focal length of
the combination.
Then 1/ F = 1/ f1 + 1/ f2
or P = P1 + P2, where P is power of combination and P1, P2 powers of the
individual lenses respectively.
Diagram:
PROCEDURE:
1. White painted vertical wooden board or smooth white waal
is used as screen.
2. The convex lens (known focal length f1 = 20 cm say), fixed into
a holder stand is put on the left of the screen.
3. The lens is moved towards and away from the screen till a
sharp, inverted image of distant tree or tower is formed on the
screen.
4. Distance between central lines of the screen and holder stand
is measured by a metre scale. This distance gives the focal
length of the convex lens say 20 cm.
6. Replacing first lens by second convex lens of required power
and steps from 2 to 5 is repeated. This gives the focal length of
second convex lens.
7. Now both lenses are kept in contact and steps from 2 to 5 is
repeated. Distance of the screen from both the lenses are
measured and recorded it in a table. This gives the combined
focal length.
OBSERVATIONS
Focal length of lens L1 = f1 = 10cm
Focal length of lens L2 = f2 = 20cm
Calculated focal length of lens combination F= f1f2/(f1+f2)= 6.67cm
Least count of the scale = mm.
Focal length of combination of lenses:

Serial Distance of first Distance of second Mean distance of

No. lens from the lens from the screen from lens
screen d1 (cm) screen d2 (cm) combination
(d1 + d2)/2 = F (cm)

6.8 7.2 7
1
6.7 7.1 6.9
2
6.7 7.1 6.9
3
RESULT:
Measured value of focal length of lens combination = 6.93cm
Difference between measured value of focal length and the
calculated focal length = 0.26cm
The difference between the two could be due to experimental
error.
PRECAUTION:
1. Thin lenses should be taken.
2. Lenses should have same aperture.
SOURCES OF ERROR:
1. Lenses may not be thin.
2. Lens apertures may not be same.
3. The peripheral region of the lenses are not in contact.
4. Spherical aberration of the lenses may cause an error in
locating the position of the sharp image, i.e., the exact focal
length
 Class – XII
Physics
Activities from section -B
Use of multimeter to see the unidirectional flow
of current in case of a diode and an LED and
check whether a given electronic component
(e.g. diode) is in working order.
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 ACTIVITY -6
Aim:
Use of multimeter to see the unidirectional flow of current in
case of a diode and an LED and check whether a given
electronic component (e.g., diode) is in working order.

Materials required:

A multimeter, a diode and an LED.

Theory:
A semiconductor junction diode, when in forward biased, offers
a low resistance and hence allows current to flow. However,
when in the reverse biased, it offers a very high resistance and
negligible current. Therefore, the working of a junction diode or
LED can be examined by measuring its resistance in the
forward and reverse bias conditions. The functioning of junction
diode or LED can also be examined by checking the
unidirectional flow of current.
Diagram

DIODE LED

Resistance Mode Current Mode

Procedure:
Checking whether a diode is in working order and whether flow of
electric current is unidirectional through it.

1. Multimeter is set in resistance measuring mode.

2. To measure the diode resistance terminal 1 is connected with

the positive lead and terminal 2 with the negative lead of the
multimeter. By reversing the terminals resistance is measured
again.

3.This helps us to identify the p-type/anode and n-type/cathode

terminals of the given diode/LED and also to conclude whether
the given diode/LED is in working order or not.

4. The diode/LED is connected with its p-type(anode) end to

positive terminal of a cell along with a resistance box to make an
open series circuit.
5. Now the multimeter is set in current measuring mode at a
suitable range (mA) and leads are connected between open
ends to close the circuit. The forward biased current is
measured in multimeter.

6. By reversing the polarity of diode/LED current is measured

in reverse biased mode.
Observations
(i) Unidirectional flow of current through a diode:
Multimeter shows deflection only, when diode/LED is
connected in forward biased. In this case only LED
glows.
(ii) To check whether a diode is in working order or not:
If the meter indicates very low resistance in the
forward-biased condition and a very high resistance or
OL in reverse-biased condition, then it refers to the
perfect condition of the diode/LED.
If the meter indicates a very high resistance or OL in
both forward and reverse-biased conditions, then the
diode is said to be opened. In other hand, if the meter
reads a very low resistance in both directions, then the
diode is said to be shorted.
Precaution:

1. While obtaining resistance of any component, clean its leads

properly.

2. Use the selector switch of the multimeter carefully for various

measuring modes.

Sources of error:

1. When the metal ends of multimeter leads are touched, the

multimeter should show zero resistance, if not bring the pointer to
zero using ‘zero Adj knob’ on the multimeter.

2. While checking resistance of a component, avoid touching both

the metal ends of the multimeter leads.