ST.

BEDE’S ACADEMY SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL,

SANTHOME, CHENNAI – 600 004
ACTIVITY
CLASS: XII A & B

DATE: 15/12/2020

SUBJECT: Physics

ACTIVITY : 2

AIM
To study the variation in potential drop with length of a wire for a steady
current.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Potentiometer, battery eliminator of constant voltage, dc power supply or lead

accumulator, voltmeter and ammeter of suitable range, plug key, jockey,
rheostat, connecting wires, etc.
THEORY
For a potentiometer wire of uniform material density and thickness (cross-
sectional area) carrying a steady current, potential drop is proportional to the
length of the wire.

Where k is the drop of potential per unit length. It is called the potential
gradient.
DIAGRAM
TABULATION

S.NO Length of Voltmeter reading k = V

Potentiometer V l
wire
‘l’ (V) (V cm-1)
(cm)
1 50 0.4 0.01

2 100 0.7 0.01

3 150 1.1 0.01

4 200 1.5 0.01

5 250 1.9 0.01

Mean k =0.01 V cm-1

GRAPH
PROCEDURE

1. Draw a circuit diagram showing the scheme of connections as in figure.

2. Remove the insulation from the ends of the connecting copper wires with a
sand paper.
3. Connect the positive pole of the battery (eliminator) (a battery of constant
e.m.f.) to the zero end (P) of the potentiometer and the negative pole
through a one-way key, an ammeter and a low resistance rheostat to the
other end (Q) of the potentiometer.
4. Connect the positive terminal of the voltmeter to the end P of the
potentiometer and the negative terminal to the jockey.
5. Touch the end of the jockey to the end Q of the potentiometer.
6. Close the key and set the rheostat such that the voltmeter gives full scale
deflection (3 V).
7. Touch the jockey at end P at 0 (zero) cm. The voltmeter will give zero
deflection.
8. Touch the jockey at marks separated by 50 cm length of wire. Note the
voltmeter reading in each case.
9. Record your observations in tabular form as given ahead.

RESULT
V
The ratio l = k is found to be constant within the limits of experimental error.
Its mean value is 0.01V cm-1
V
The graph shows a linear relationship between V and l. The value of l = k
from the graph is 0.01 V cm-1

PRECAUTIONS
1. Zero error in the voltmeter and ammeter (if there is any) should be
corrected by adjusting the screw provided at the base of the needle.
2. The current in the wire should remain constant throughout the
experiment. To ensure this, current should be drawn intermittently for
short duration of time. It should be monitored by an ammeter and
readjusted whenever necessary, with the help of a rheostat.
3. Do not press the wire too hard with the jockey while noting down the
observations or else there is a possibility that the wire will become non-
uniform (diameter will change) at these points during the course of time.
4. Check for uniformity of wire at its various points before the start of the
experiment. If wire is non-uniform, the potential gradient will not be
constant.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The wire must have a uniform cross section along its entire length. This
should be checked by measuring its diameter at various points before the
start of the experiment.
2. Voltmeter may not give accurate reading.