Investigatory Project Report
On
“Relation Between Potential Drop and Length of Wire Using a Potentiometer”
Submitted by: Gunnmeet Kaur
Class: XII – Science
Subject: Physics
School Name: ____________________
Session: 2024 – 2025
Submitted to: Ms. Archana (Physics Teacher)
Certificate
This is to certify that Gunnmeet Kaur, a student of Class XII, has successfully completed the
investigatory project on the topic:
“Relation Between Potential Drop and Length of Wire Using a Potentiometer”
under the guidance of Ms. Archana, as part of the Physics curriculum for the academic
session 2024–25.
Teacher’s Signature: _______________
Examiner’s Signature: _______________
Date: _____________________________
School Seal
Acknowledgement
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my Physics teacher Ms. Archana for her
valuable guidance and support during the completion of this project. I also thank my
parents and friends who encouraged me and helped me throughout this investigatory
journey. This project has helped me understand the concepts of potentiometry in a practical
manner.
Gunnmeet Kaur
Class XII – Science
Index
S. No. Content Page No.
1 Introduction 1
2 Objective 2
3 Theory 3
4 Apparatus Required 4
5 Experimental Setup 5
6 Procedure 6
7 Observations 7
8 Calculations 8
9 Graph 9
10 Result 10
11 Precautions 11
12 Sources of Error 12
13 Advantages of 13
Potentiometer
14 Applications 14
15 Bibliography 15
Introduction
The potentiometer is a highly accurate device used in Physics laboratories to measure the
electromotive force (EMF) of a given cell and compare EMFs of two cells. This project
investigates the direct relationship between the length of a uniform wire and the potential
drop across it, which forms the fundamental working principle of a potentiometer.
It offers higher accuracy than voltmeters as it draws no current from the circuit under test.
Objective
To verify the relationship between potential drop and length of a uniform wire using a
potentiometer.
Theory
According to Ohm’s law, V = IR. When a constant current flows through a uniform wire, the
potential drop (V) is directly proportional to the length (L) of the wire, i.e., V ∝ L. Thus, by
measuring the balancing length on a potentiometer wire, we can find the potential drop.
This experiment helps confirm this linear relationship by using known voltage sources and
measuring the corresponding balancing lengths.
Apparatus Required
- Potentiometer board (1 m wire)
- Leclanche cell or battery eliminator
- Galvanometer
- Jockey
- Rheostat
- Connecting wires
- Ammeter
- One-way key
- Scale
Experimental Setup
Connect the circuit with the battery, potentiometer wire, and galvanometer in series. Use a
jockey to slide over the potentiometer wire. Use a Leclanche cell as the known voltage
source and record the balancing length where the galvanometer shows null deflection.
Procedure
1. Connect the circuit properly using clean wires.
2. Adjust the rheostat for constant current.
3. Place the jockey on different lengths of the potentiometer wire.
4. Record the lengths and corresponding potential drops.
5. Repeat for various known voltages and tabulate the data.
6. Plot graphs to study the relationship.
Observations
Table 1: For cell A (1.5V)
S. No. Length of wire (cm) Potential drop (V)
1 10 0.3
2 20 0.6
3 30 0.8999999999999999
4 40 1.2
5 50 1.5
Table 2: For cell B (2V)
S. No. Length of wire (cm) Potential drop (V)
1 10 0.4
2 20 0.8
3 30 1.2000000000000002
4 40 1.6
5 50 2.0
Table 3: For variable current setup
S. No. Length of wire (cm) Potential drop (V)
1 10 0.2
2 20 0.4
3 30 0.6000000000000001
4 40 0.8
5 50 1.0
Calculations
For each table, the potential drop per cm is calculated by dividing V by L. If the values
remain constant, it confirms that V ∝ L.
Graph
A graph is plotted with potential drop (V) on Y-axis and length of wire (L) on X-axis. The
straight line confirms the linear relationship.
Result
The experiment verifies that potential drop is directly proportional to the length of the
potentiometer wire, i.e., V ∝ L.
Precautions
- Use only uniform wire.
- Keep connections tight.
- Avoid heating the wire.
- Read lengths accurately.
- Use clean contact points.
Sources of Error
- Non-uniform wire.
- Fluctuating current.
- Loose connections.
- Inaccurate length measurements.
Advantages of Potentiometer
- Accurate EMF measurement.
- No current drawn from test cell.
- Can compare EMFs and find internal resistance.
Applications
- Measurement of EMF
- Comparison of cells
- Calibration of voltmeter
- Measurement of internal resistance
Bibliography
- NCERT Physics Class XII
- Comprehensive Practical Physics – Laxmi Publications
- physics.info
- Teacher’s notes and lab manual
