POTENTIOMETER
It is a device used measure and unknown EMF all potential difference between two points accurately. It consists of
long wire of uniform cross section usually 4 to 10 m long and made up of constantan or manganin (high
resistance/low temperature coefficient).
Principle of Potentiometer--
The basic principle of potentiometer is that when a constant current flows through a wire of uniform cross section
and composition, the potential drop across any length of wire is directly proportional to the length of the wire.
V = IR also R = ρ L/A
therefore V= I ρ L/A
V = kL => V∝L
Potential gradient--
The potential drop per unit length of potentiometer wire is known as potential gradient which is given by
k = V/L
and its unit is Volt per metre (Vm-1)
To find the internal resistance of a primary cell by a potentiometer—
Q)Why is the use of potentiometer preferred over voltmeter for measurement of EMF of a cell?
A) Potentiometer is a null method device. No current is drawn from the cell at null point. Thus, there is no potential
drop due to the internal resistance of a cell. it measures the potential difference in an open circuit.
A voltmeter requires a small current for its operation so it measures potential difference in a closed circuit which is
less than the actual EMF of the cell
Q) How can you increase the sensitivity of a Potentiometer?
A) sensitivity of potentiometer can be increased by reducing the potential gradient which can be done in two ways-
i) increasing the length of potentiometer wire
ii) reducing the current in the circuit with the help of rheostat
Q)What are the disadvantages of a Potentiometer ?
• A voltmeter can directly indicate the value of the potential difference, whereas a potentiometer cannot.
• A voltmeter is portable, but a potentiometer is not.
Q) What do you mean by sensitivity of a wheatstone bridge? On what factor does it depend?
A) Wheatstone bridge is said to be sensitive if it shows a large deflection in the galvanometer for a small change of
resistance.
Sensitivity of wheatstone bridge depends on two factors-
i) Relative magnitude of resistances in the four arms of the bridge. The bridge is more sensitive when all four
resistances are of the same order.
ii)Relative positions of battery and galvanometer
Q) What are the advantages of wheatstone bridge method over measuring resistance over other method?
A) i) it is a null method hence the result is free from the effect of extra resistance of the circuit.
ii) being null method it is easier to detect a small change in deflection than to read a deflection directly.
METER BRIDGE
Construction Of Meter Bridge
• It typically consists of a one-meter-long manganin wire of uniform cross-section, stretched along a meter
scale mounted on a wooden board, with its ends soldered to two L-shaped thick copper strips, A and C.
• A third copper strip is fixed between the two copper strips, creating two gaps: ab and cd .
• A resistance box R.B is connected in the gap ab and the unknown resistance X is connected between the
gap cd.
• A movable jockey and Galvanometer are connected across BD.
Working Of Meter Bridge
• After adjusting the resistance box, the jockey is moved along wire AC until the galvanometer shows no
deflection, signaling the Wheatstone bridge's balance.
• If P and Q represent the resistances of the AB and BC segments of the wire, then the balanced condition of
the bridge is given by,
If AB=l cm ,then BC=(100-l) cm
• Resistance P of the wire between A and B will be proportional to l i.e., P ∝ l
• Specific resistance and cross-sectional area A are the same for the whole of the wire.
• Similarly, if Q is resistance of the wire between B and C, then Q ∝ 100-l
Applying the condition for balanced Wheatstone bridge, we get
Since R and l are known, therefore, the value of X can be calculated.
