VIVA QUESTIONS

Metre bridge

1. Why is Wheatstone Bridge so called?

Ans: The principle was discovered by Sir Charles Wheatstone

2. What is a Metre Bridge. Why is it so called?

Ans: It is an instrument for comparing resistances. The bridge wire has a length of one
metre

3. What is the principle of Wheatstone Bridge?

Ans: When the bridge is balanced P/Q = R/S

4. Can you find very high resistances accurately with the help of a metre bridge?

Ans: No

5. Why is the galvanometer is graduated both sides of zero?

Ans: If the jockey is pressed on either side of balance point the deflection in the
galvanometer are in opposite directions

6. Can we use an ammeter instead of a galvanometer?

Ammeter is not sensitive compared with a galvanometer. Moreover, it is graduated
with zero at one end
7. What is the material of the bridge wire: What is the criterion for selections?

Manganin wire is used. Low temperature coefficient

8. Why are copper strips on the bridge thick?

To minimise resistance
9. Why is it desirable to have null point as near the centre as possible?

This will minimise end corrections. Interchanging the resistance also minimises end
correction.
10. When is Wheatstone Bridge most sensitive?

It is most sensitive when P, Q, R and S are of the same order of magnitude

11. What is the material of the wire of metre bridge? Can we use copper wire?

The wire of metre bridge is generally made of an alloy constantan or eureka. The
resistivity of copper is very low and hence it cannot be used in metre bridge.
12. Why do we prefer the null point in the metre bridge experiment in the middle of
bridge wire?

When the null point is in the middle, the ratio arms are nearly equal and the end
resistances produce negligible effect.
13. Why is it essential that bridge wire should be of uniform area of cross section?

In deriving the formula, we assume that resistance is proportional to length of the

wire. This is true only when the wire is of uniform cross sectional area throughout.

14. Why is metre bridge so called?

Ans: Because bridge uses one metre long wire.

15. When is a Wheatstone's bridge said to be balanced?

Ans: A Wheatstone's bridge is said to be balanced, when the ratio of resistances in

arms balance or become equal.

16. What are the applied forms of a Wheatstone's bridge?

Ans: i. Post Office Box

ii. Metre Bridge

17. Define electrical conductivity.

Ans: The reciprocal of resistivity is called electrical conductivity.

18. What is null point?

Ans: Null point is a point on the wire, keeping jockey at which the galvanometer
gives no deflection.
 Potentiometer
1. What is a potentiometer?

Ans: It is an instrument to measure potential difference across two points accurately

2. What is its principle?

Ans: A uniform long resistances wire is mounted on a wooden board. When a steady
emf is applied to the ends of this wire the fall of potential along the wire is
proportional to the length.

3. How can you increase the accuracy of the potentiometer?

It can be increased by increasing the length of the wire

4. potentiometer is a better instrument than a voltmeter for measuring emf of a cell.

why?

Ans: When we balance a cell against a potentiometer wire no current flows through
the cell. Hence we measure the emf. When we use a voltmeter across a cell, a small
current flow through the voltmeter and we are getting only the terminal potential
difference of the cell

5. What is meant by potential gradient?

Ans: It is the fall of potential per unit length (mm, cm or m) of the wire when a steady
current flows though it.

6. What are the parts of a Daniel cell?

Ans: Zinc rod which is the negative plate is placed in a porous pot containing dil:
H2SO4. Copper vessel acts as positive plate. The vessel contains copper sulphate
solution.

7. Why don't you use Daniel cell in the primary circuit of a potentiometer?
Ans: The voltage is small and not steady. It cannot be used for a long time. It is not
rechargeable.

8. What is the function of the rheostat in the primary circuit?

Ans: To vary the current in the primary circuit so that we can repeat the experiment.

9. What are the parts of Leclanche cell?

A primary electrochemical cell having a zinc cathode in contact with zinc chloride,
ammonium chloride (as a solution or a paste) as the electrolyte, and a carbon anode in
contact with a mixture of manganese dioxide and carbon powder.

10. What are the components in primary circuit?

Battery eliminator, rheostat, key.