Experiment- 2

Aim-
To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by half deflection method and to find its
figure of merit .

Apparatus-
A Weston type galvanometer, a voltmeter, a battery eliminator. Two resistance boxes
(range 0-10,000 and 0-500Ώ) , two one way keys, a rheostat, connecting wires and a piece
of sand paper.

Theory –
Galvanometer is a device used to detect presence of current. It is based
on the fact that when a current carrying coil is placed in magnetic field it
experiences a torque.
1. The resistance of the given galvanometer as found by half deflection method
G=
Where G – resistance of Galvanometer
R is the resistance connected in series with the galvanometer and
S is the shunt resistance.
2. The figure of merit, (It is defined as current required per division of deflection,
K=

k=
Where E is the e.m.f. of the cell and
 is the deflection produced with resistance R.
Observation & Observation Table-

No of division in the galvanometer scale, n = 30 (On either side)

Table of resistance-

S.No. Resistance Deflection in Shunt Half Galvanometer

R (Ω) the Resistance deflection Resistance
galvanometer S (Ω) G= (Ω)
( )
1 R1 S1 G1
2 R2 S2 G2
3 R3 S3 G3
4 R4 S4 G4

Table of figure of merit-

S.No. e.m.f. of cells Resistance from Deflection Figure of

E (V) High R.B. (division) Merit
R (Ω) K=
(Amp/div.)
1 E R1 k1
2 E R2 K2
3 E R3 K3
4 E R4 K4
Calculation –

G= Ω

G1 = = …… Ω

G2 = = ……. Ω
G3 = = ……. Ω
G4 = = ……. Ω

Gavg. = = ………Ω

k=

k1 = = …… A/div.

k2 = = …… A/div.
k3 = = …… A/div.
k4 = = ….. A/div.

kavg. = = ………… A/div.

Result –

1. Resistance of galvanometer by half deflection method is G = …………….. Ω

2. Figure of merit, k = …………………… amp./division.

Precautions –
1. All the connections should be neat, clean and tight.
2. All the plugs in resistance boxes should be tight.
3. The e.m.f. of cell or battery should be constant.
4. Initially a high resistance from the resistance box (R) should be introduced in the
circuit (otherwise for small resistance an excessive current will flow through the
galvanometer or ammeter and can be damaged.
5. The value of R must be large as compared to the value of G, otherwise the result will
not be satisfactory.

Sources of error-
1. The plug of resistance boxes may not be clean.
2. The screws of the instrument may be loose.
3. The e.m.f. of battery may not be constant.