AIM OF THE EXPERMENT: - To verify law of series combination of resistances by using meter bridge.

APPARATUS REQUIRED: - 1. A meter bridge

2. Resistance box
3. Galvanometer
4. One way key
5. Jockey
6. Two unknown resistance wires
7. Connecting wires
8. Source of emf
9. Geometry Instruments Box
THEORY: - Meter Bridge functions on the principle of wheatstone’s bridge.
Under the condition of balance, the equation for the meter bridge is

R1 R 3

R2 R 4
In the meter bridge circuit, if ‘l’ is the balancing length of the meter bridge wire from the left
end to the Jockey for zero deflection in the galvanometer then
R l

X (100 - l)
(100 - l)
X R
l
The equivalent resistance in series combination is

RS = X + Y
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:-

PROCEDURE: - 1. The circuit diagram was drawn and the connections were made according to the circuit
diagram. Neat and tight connections were made according to the circuit diagram.
2. The unknown resistance wire ‘X’ was connected in the right gap.
3. The resistance box of low range was connected in the left gap.
4. Some resistance from the resistance box was taken out and the key was plugged.
5. The jockey was touched gently first at the left end and then at the right end of the
bridge wire.
6. If the deflections in the galvanometer were in opposite directions then the connections
were concluded to be correct
7. Jockey was tapped gently on the wire from left to right end of the wire till the
galvanometer shows no deflection. The length corresponding to null deflection known as
balancing length and it was measured.
8. This process was repeated by taking different resistances from the resistance box.
 9. At least three sets of observations were recorded and all the observations were neatly
tabulated.
10. Step – 3 to Step – 9 was repeated for another unknown resistance wire ‘Y’.
11. Then the two unknown resistances were connected in series and by repeating the above
steps three sets of observations were recorded.
12. Using the values obtained for X and Y, the equivalent resistance were found theoretically
for series combination and were compared with experimental values.
TABULATION:-

Left Gap Balancing length

Right Gap
No. of Resistance from Mean Resistance
Unknown Resistance l 100-l
Obs R.B in ohm
X in ohm (in cm) (in cm)
(in ohm)
1
2 X
3
1
2 Y
3
1
2 X+Y
3

CALCULATION: - The value of unknown resistance X = __________ohm.

The value of unknown resistance Y = __________ohm.
The value of unknown resistance X+ Y = __________ohm.

INFERENCE: - Within the limits of experimental error, the laws of series combination of resistances were
verified.