Potentiometer

"The potentiometer is a device used to measure potential .difference, by balancing it with a known potential difference." It is an electrical device in which a potential is applied across a resistance wire of uniform cross sectional area and of length of about 4m to 10m. It is used: 1. To measure e.m.f. of a cell. 2. To compare the e.m.f.s of two cells by, a) individual method b) sum and difference method

To determine internal resistance of a cell. Construction and principle of working : It consists of a resistance wire of uniform cross sectional area and of length 4m to 10 m. It is fixed on a rectangular wooden board between point A and point C in zigzag way. A metre scale is fixed below the first wire so as to measure the length of null point. A cell of constant e.m.f. E called as lead cell, accumulator or auxilary cell is connected between point A and point C. The positive terminal of cell is connected to point A through plug key K and negative terminal of cell is connected to point C through rheostat Rh.

Therefore there will be gradual fall of potential along the potentiometer wire. Let L be the length of potentiometer wire. Let I be the constant current supplied by cell. Let 'V be the potential across potentiometer wire of length L. Therefore Potential difference per unit length or potential drop or

Let, R be the resistance of wire of length L. Therefore resistance per unit length, p = R/L By Ohm's law, potential difference per unit length

Thus equation (iii) gives the potential difference applied across the length of the wire. In equation (iii), I o is constant. Therefore, V c L, is the principle of working of potentiometer which states that, "The potential difference between any two points on a potentiometer wire is directly proportional to the length of the wire between the two points."

Applications Of Potentiometer :
1. To measure e.m.f. of a cell : ,

The circuit diagram to explain the use of a potentiometer to measure e.m.f. of a cell is as shown in figure . In figure a cell of e.m.f. E1 which is to be measured is connected with potentiometer. The positiveterminal of E1 is connected to point A and negative terminal is connected to jockey through galvanometer. After making connections on touch the jockey at point A and then at point C. If galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero then potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings.

Now, momentarily touch the jockey at different points on a wire and select a point Na at which the galvanometer shows null deflection. Measure the length of null point N1 from point A (AN1 = l1). Since galvanometer shows null deflection current flowing through galvanometer is zero. Therefore a cell of e.m.f. E1 is in open circuit. The e.m.f. of cell is balanced by the balancing length AN1 = l1

Thus by using equation (i) e.m.f. of cell can be measured. 2. To compare e.m.f/s of two cells : a) Individual method: The circuit diagram to compare the e.m.f s of two cells by individual method by potentiometer is as shown in figure .

In figure , the two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2 along with two way key K1 and galvanometer is connected with the potentiometer. To take a cell of e.m.f. E1 in the circuit gap 1 of two way key K1 must be closed. Now touch the jockey at point A and then at point C. If galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero, then potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings. Now, momentarily touch the jockey at different points on a wire and select a point N1 at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN1 = l1 be the balancing length for a cell of e.m.f. E1. Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

To take a cell of e.m.f. E2 in the circuit gap 2 of two way key K1 must be closed. Now momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point N2 at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN2 = l2 be the balancing length for a cell of e.m.f. E2. Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

Thus, by equation (iii) e.m.f.s of two cells can be compared. b) Sum and difference method (Assist-oppose method): The circuit diagram to compare the e.m.fs of two cells by sum and difference method using potentiometer is as shown in figure.

In figure, two cells of e.m.f. E1 and E2 along with four way key K1 and galvanometer is connected with the potentiometer. If negative terminal of E1 is connected to positive terminal of E2 then two cells are said to assist with each other. Therefore for sum gap 4 and 2 of four way key K1 must be closed. Now touch the jockey at point A and then at point C, if galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero then potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings. Now, momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point N1 at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN1 = l 1be the balancing length for sum (E1 + E2). Therefore by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

If negative terminal of E^ is connected to negative terminal of E2then two cells are said to oppose with each other therefore for difference gap 1 and gap 3 of four way key K1 must be closed. Now momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point N2 at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN2 = /2 be

balancing length for difference (E1 - E2). Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

Thus, by equation (iii) e.m.f. s of two cells can be compared. 3. To determine internal resistance of a cell : The circuit diagram to determine the internal resistance of a cell using potentiometer is as shown in figure . In fig a cell of e.m.f. E1 and internal resistance r1 is connected with potentiometer. The known resistance R1 from resistance box along with plug key K1 is connected across a cell of e.m.f. E1.

Initially plug key K is closed and K1 is kept open. Now touch the jockey at point A and then at point C. If galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero then potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings. Now momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point Nj at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN1 = l1 be the balancing length for a cell of e.m.f. E1. Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

Now close both the plug keys K and K1 Take a suitable resistance R1 from resistance box. A cell of e.m.f. E1 supplies current I1 through R1. Therefore, potential difference across R1 is given by,

This potential difference is balanced by balancing length AN2 = l2 which is determined by touching the jockey at different points and selecting point N2 at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Hence by the principle of potentiometer we have

By using equation (viii), internal resistance of a cell can be determined. Precautions : 1. The +ve or -ve terminal of driving cell is connected to that terminal of potentiometer at which +ve or -ve terminal of the cell of unknown e.m.f. is , connected. The e.m.f. of driving cell is greater than the unknown e.m.f.'s of other cells connected in the potentiometer circuit.

The wire of potentiometer should be of uniform cross sectional area. The resistance of potentiometer wire should be large. Advantages of potentiometer over voltmeter : 1. Potentiometer is used to measure e.m.f. of a cell while voltmeter is used to measure terminal P.O. of a cell. 2. By increasing length of potentiometer potential drop can be made as small as possible therefore it is used to measure very small P.O. 3. Potentiometer is more accurate than voltmeter. 4. Potentiometer is used for the calibration of readings of ammeter and voltmeter. But voltmeter can't be used for the calibration purpose. Disadvantages of potentiometer over voltmeter: 1. Potentiometer is not portable but voltmeter is portable. 2. Potentiometer does not give direct readings but voltmeter gives direct readings.