Potentiometer

"The potentiometer is a device used to measure potential .difference, by balancing

it with a known potential difference."

It is an electrical device in which a potential is applied across a resistance wire of
uniform cross sectional area and of length of about 4m to 10m.
It is used:

1. To measure e.m.f. of a cell.
2. To compare the e.m.f.s of two cells by,

a) individual method b) sum and difference method

To determine internal resistance of a cell.

Construction and principle of working :

It consists of a resistance wire of uniform cross sectional area and of length 4m to
10 m. It is fixed on a rectangular wooden board between point A and point C in
zigzag way. A metre scale is fixed below the first wire so as to measure the length
of null point. A cell of constant e.m.f. E called as lead cell, accumulator or auxilary
cell is connected between point A and point C. The positive terminal of cell is
connected to point A through plug key K and negative terminal of cell is connected
to point C through rheostat R
h
.



Therefore there will be gradual fall of potential along
the potentiometer wire. Let L be the length of potentiometer wire. Let I be the
constant current supplied by cell. Let 'V be the potential across potentiometer wire
of length L.

Therefore Potential difference per unit length or potential drop or



Let, R be the resistance of wire of length L. Therefore resistance per unit length,
p = R/L

By Ohm's law, potential difference per unit length


Thus equation (iii) gives the potential difference applied across the length of the
wire. In equation (iii), I o is constant. Therefore, V c L, is the principle of working
of potentiometer which states that,

"The potential difference between any two points on a potentiometer wire is directly
proportional to the length of the wire between the two points."

Applications Of Potentiometer :

1. To measure e.m.f. of a cell : ,

The circuit diagram to explain the use of a potentiometer to measure e.m.f. of a cell
is as shown in figure . In figure a cell of e.m.f. E
1
which is to be measured is
connected with potentiometer. The positiveterminal of E
1
is connected to point A
and negative terminal is connected to jockey through galvanometer. After making
connections on touch the jockey at point A and then at point C. If galvanometer
shows deflection on both sides of zero then potentiometer is said to be ready
for taking the readings.



Now, momentarily touch the jockey at different points on a wire and select a point
N
a
at which the galvanometer shows null deflection. Measure the length of null
point N
1
from point A (AN
1
= l
1
). Since galvanometer shows null deflection current
flowing through galvanometer is zero. Therefore a cell of e.m.f. E
1
is in open circuit.
The e.m.f. of cell is balanced by the balancing length AN
1
= l
1



Thus by using equation (i) e.m.f. of cell can be measured.
2. To compare e.m.f/s of two cells :
a) Individual method:
The circuit diagram to compare the e.m.f s of two cells by individual method by
potentiometer is as shown in figure .

In figure , the two cells of e.m.f. E
1
and E
2
along with two way key K
1
and
galvanometer is connected with the potentiometer. To take a cell of e.m.f. E
1
in the
circuit gap 1 of two way key K
1
must be closed. Now touch the jockey at point A
and then at point C. If galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero, then
potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings. Now, momentarily touch
the jockey at different points on a wire and select a point N
1
at which galvanometer
shows null deflection. Let AN
1
= l
1
be the balancing length for a cell of e.m.f. E
1
.
Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

To take a cell of e.m.f. E
2
in the circuit gap 2 of two way key K
1
must be closed.
Now momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point N
2
at which
galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN
2
= l
2
be the balancing length for a cell
of e.m.f. E
2
. Hence by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

Thus, by equation (iii) e.m.f.s of two cells can be compared.
b) Sum and difference method (Assist-oppose method):
The circuit diagram to compare the e.m.fs of two cells by sum and difference
method using potentiometer is as shown in figure.

In figure, two cells of e.m.f. E
1
and E
2
along with four way key K
1
and
galvanometer is connected with the potentiometer. If negative terminal of E
1
is
connected to positive terminal of E
2
then two cells are said to assist with each
other. Therefore for sum gap 4 and 2 of four way key K
1
must be closed. Now touch
the jockey at point A and then at point C, if galvanometer shows deflection on both
sides of zero then potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings.
Now, momentarily touch the jockey at different points and select a point N
1
at
which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN
1
= l
1
be the balancing length for
sum (E
1
+ E
2
). Therefore by the principle of potentiometer, we have,

If negative terminal of E^ is connected to negative terminal of E
2
then two cells are
said to oppose with each other therefore for difference gap 1 and gap 3 of four way
key K
1
must be closed. Now momentarily touch the jockey at different points and
select a point N
2
at which galvanometer shows null deflection. Let AN
2
= /
2
be
balancing length for difference (E
1
- E
2
). Hence by the principle of potentiometer,
we have,

Thus, by equation (iii) e.m.f. s of two cells can be compared.
3. To determine internal resistance of a cell :
The circuit diagram to determine the internal resistance of a cell using
potentiometer is as shown in figure . In fig a cell of e.m.f. E
1
and internal resistance
r
1
is connected with potentiometer. The known resistance R
1
from resistance box
along with plug key K
1
is connected across a cell of e.m.f. E
1
.

Initially plug key K is closed and K
1
is kept open. Now touch the jockey at point A
and then at point C. If galvanometer shows deflection on both sides of zero then
potentiometer is said to be ready for taking the readings. Now momentarily touch
the jockey at different points and select a point Nj at which galvanometer shows
null deflection. Let AN
1
= l
1
be the balancing length for a cell of e.m.f. E
1
. Hence by
the principle of potentiometer, we have,

Now close both the plug keys K and K
1
Take a suitable resistance R
1
from
resistance box. A cell of e.m.f. E
1
supplies current I
1
through R
1
. Therefore,
potential difference across R
1
is given by,

This potential difference is balanced by balancing length AN
2
= l
2
which is
determined by touching the jockey at different points and selecting point N
2
at
which galvanometer shows null deflection. Hence by the principle of potentiometer
we have


By using equation (viii), internal resistance of a cell can be determined.
Precautions :
1. The +ve or -ve terminal of driving cell is connected to that terminal of
potentiometer at which +ve or -ve terminal of the cell of unknown e.m.f. is ,
connected.
The e.m.f. of driving cell is greater than the unknown e.m.f.'s of other cells
connected in the potentiometer circuit.
The wire of potentiometer should be of uniform cross sectional area.
The resistance of potentiometer wire should be large.
Advantages of potentiometer over voltmeter :
1. Potentiometer is used to measure e.m.f. of a cell while voltmeter is used to
measure terminal P.O. of a cell.
2. By increasing length of potentiometer potential drop can be made as small as
possible therefore it is used to measure very small P.O.
3. Potentiometer is more accurate than voltmeter.
4. Potentiometer is used for the calibration of readings of ammeter and voltmeter.
But voltmeter can't be used for the calibration purpose.
Disadvantages of potentiometer over voltmeter:
1. Potentiometer is not portable but voltmeter is portable.
2. Potentiometer does not give direct readings but voltmeter gives direct readings.