ACTIVITY A5

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

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED:-

A potentiometer, battery eliminator, a voltmeter (0 − 3 V), plug key, jockey, a low resistance
rheostat, connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

THEORY:-
A potentiometer works on the principle that if a constant current flows through a wire of
uniform area of cross-section and composition, then the potential drop 𝑉 across any length 𝑙 of
the wire is directly proportional to the length 𝑙.
𝑉
𝑉 ∝ 𝑙 or 𝑉 = 𝑘𝑙 or 𝑘 =
𝑙
Here 𝑘 is the potential drop per unit length and is called potential gradient.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM:-

PROCEDURE:-
1. Draw a neat circuit diagram as shown in Fig. 10 and arrange the required apparatus
accordingly on the working table.
2. Connect the positive terminal of the battery to the end 𝐴 (zero length) of the
potentiometer wire and negative terminal to the end 𝐵(400 cm length), through a plug
key 𝐾, ammeter 𝐴 and low resistance rheostat Rh.
3. Now connect the positive terminal of voltmeter 𝑉 to the end 𝐴 of the potentiometer
wire and its negative terminal to the jockey 𝐽 which can slide along the wire 𝐴𝐵.
 4. Note that the pointer of the voltmeter is at the zero mark when no current is passing
through it. If it is not so, adjust its pointer with the help of zero adjustment screw
provided on its front panel.
5. Insert the plug in the key 𝐾 and press the jockey 𝐽 at the extreme end 𝐵 of the
potentiometer wire. Adjust the sliding contact of the rheostat so that voltmeter shows
full scale deflection.
6. Now press the jockey at point 𝐴, the voltmeter will show zero deflection.
7. Now press the jockey at 40 cm (from end ) and note the corresponding reading.
8. Now make contacts of the jockey at distances 80 cm, 120 cm, 160 cm, … . . ,400 cm
from the end 𝐴 and note the potential drop 𝑉 in each case. See that the ammeter
reading remains constant throughout. Record all your observations in a tabular form.
9. Calculate potential gradient 𝑘 = 𝑉/𝑙 for each observation.

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS:-

Range of the voltmeter = 0 to _______V

Least count of the voltmeter = ________ V

Range of the ammeter = 0 to _______A

Least count of the ammeter = ______A

Steady current in the ammeter = ________A

Table A9: Variation in potential drop with length

𝑉
Length of potentiometer wire 𝑙 Voltmeter reading 𝑉 Potential gradient 𝑘 =
S.No. 𝑙
( cm) ( V)
( V cm −1 )
1. 0

2. 40

3. 80

4. 120

5. 160
 6. 200

7. 240

8. 280

9. 320

10. 360

11. 400

Mean value of 𝑘 = Vcm −1

PLOTTING GRAPH
Choosing suitable scales, plot a graph of 𝑉 versus 𝐼, with 𝑉 along 𝑌-axis and
𝑙 along 𝑋-axis. A straight line graph is obtained as shown in Fig. 11.
𝑉2 −𝑉1
Potential gradient = Slope of 𝑉 − 𝑙 graph 𝑘 = = Vcm−1
𝑙2 −𝑙1

Fig. 11 Variation of potential drop 𝑉 with length 𝑙.

RESULT:-
1. Within the limits of experimental error, the ratio 𝑉/𝑙 is found to be constant. This shows
that 𝑉 ∝ 𝑙. Mean value of = Vcm−1 .
2. 𝑉 vs. 𝑙 graph is straight line which again shows that 𝑉 ∝ 𝑙.
Value of potential gradient from the graph, 𝑘 = Vcm −1

PRECAUTIONS:-
1. All connections should be neat, clean and tight.
2. The positive terminal of the auxiliary battery should be connected to the end 𝐴 of the
potentiometer wire.
3. During experimentation, the current passing through the potentiometer wire must
remain constant. This can be ensured by using an ammeter in the auxiliary circuit. If the
current changes, it should be readjusted with the help of the low resistance rheostat.
4. Zero error, if any, in the voltmeter and ammeter should be eliminated by adjust the
screw provided at the front panel.
5. The current in the auxiliary circuit should be passed only for the duration it is essential
for taking the observations. This prevents unnecessary heating and the consequent
change of resistance of the potentiometer wire.
6. Do not drag the jockey along the wire while moving it from one point to another. It
should be pressed gently at different positions of the wire.

SOURCES OF ERROR:-
1. The area of cross-section of the potentiometer wire may not be uniform.
2. The resistance of the potentiometer wire may change due to heating.
3. Voltmeter readings may not be accurate.