Experiment no.

Aim
To compare the EMF of two given primary cells (Daniel and Leclanche cells) with the help of a
potentiometer.

Apparatus/Material Required
Potentiometer, Daniel Cell, Leclanche Cell, low resistance Rheostat, Ammeter, Voltmeter,
Galvanometer, A one-way key, A two-way key, Set Square, Jockey, Resistance Box,
Connecting wires, Piece of sandpaper

Theory:
Using a voltmeter it is possible to measure only the potential difference between the two terminals of
a cell, but using a potentiometer we can determine the value of emf of a given cell. Where E1 and
E2 are EMFs of two cells, l1 and l2 are the balancing lengths when E1 and E2 are connected to the
circuit respectively and φ is the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire.
E1 /E2 = φ l1 /φ l 2 = l1 /l 2

Circuit Diagram

Procedure
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure.
2. With the help of sandpaper, remove the insulation from the ends of connecting copper wire.
3. Measure the EMF (E) of the battery and the EMFs (E1 and E2) of the cell and see
if E1 > E and E2 > E.
4. Connect the positive pole of the battery to the zero ends (P) of the potentiometer and the
negative pole through the one-way key, low resistance rheostat, and the ammeter to the
 other end of the potentiometer (Q).connect the positive poles of the cells to the terminal at
the zero ends (P) and the negative poles to the terminals a and b of the two-way key.
5. Connect the common terminal c of the two-way key through a galvanometer (G) and a
resistance box to the jockey J.
6. Take maximum current from the battery by making the rheostat resistance zero.
7. Insert the plugin the one-way key through the resistance box and the galvanometer to the
jockey J.
8. Take out the 2000 Ω plug form the resistance box.
9. Note down the direction of the deflection in the galvanometer by pressing the jockey at zero
ends.
10. Now, press the jockey at the other end of the potentiometer wire. If the deflection is in the
opposite direction to that in the first case, the connections are correct.
11. Push the jockey smoothly over the potentiometer up to a point where the galvanometer
shows no deflection.
12. Put the 2000 Ω plug back to the resistance box and obtain the null point position accurately
with the help of the set square.
13. Note the length l1 of the wire for the cell E1.
14. Note the current as indicated by the ammeter.
15. Disconnect the cell E1 from the plug
16. Connect E2 by inserting the plug into the gap be of the two-way key.
17. Take out a 2000 ohms plug from the resistance box and slide the jockey along the
potentiometer wire and obtain no deflection position.
18. Put 2000 ohms plug back in the RB and obtain null for E2.
19. Note the length L2 of wire in this position for the cell E2.
20. By increasing the current and adjusting the rheostat get three sets of observation.

Observation
Range of voltmeter =0-5 V
Least count of voltmeter =0.1 V
Least count of ammeter =0-10 mA
Zero error of ammeter =0.1 mA

S. No Balance point when E1 Balance point when E2 E1/E2

(Leclanche cell) in the circuit (Daniel cell) in the circuit
l1 cm l2 cm
(1) 1 2 Mean l1 1 2 Mean l2 (5)
(3a) (3b) (3c) (4a) (4b) (4c)
1 326 328 327 376 376 376 086
2 323 324 323.5 371 371 371 0.87

3 321 322 321.5 368 370 369 0.87

Result
The ratio of EMFs, E1/E2 ≅ 0.87.

Precautions
1. All the connections box should be tight.
2. The e.m.f of the cell or battery should be constant.

Experiment No. 4

Aim
To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by a half-deflection method and to find its figure of
merit.

Apparatus/Materials Required
A battery, A Weston type galvanometer, Two one-way keys, Rheostat, Screw gauge, Metre-
scale, Ammeter, Connecting wires, A piece of sandpaper, Two resistance boxes

Circuit Diagram

Procedure
1. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure.
 2. Make sure that all the plugs in the resistance boxes are tight
3. Eliminate the high resistance from the resistance box and insert plug key K1 only.
4. Adjust the value of R to make the deflection maximum both in number and within the scale.
5. Note the deflection θ.
6. Now insert the key K2 without changing the value of R. Adjust the value of S such that the
value of the deflection reduces to half of θ, i.e. θ/2
7. Note down the value of resistance S.
8. Repeat steps 4 to 7 three times and obtains different values of R for different values of S.
9. Find the value of the E.M.F of one of the cells with the help of a voltmeter.

Observations and Calculations

Table for the resistance of the galvanometer by half deflection method

E=1.45 V
S.No Resistance Deflection in the Shunt Galvanometer
Galvanometer Resistance Resistance
(1) R
θ S (6)
(2)
(3) (4)

1 1500 26 3 13.11

2 2000 20 10 10.05 Avg=9.3

3 5000 10 5 5.05

Table for Figure of merit

S.No Resistance Deflection θ (div) Figure of

from R.B. merit
(1) (5)
R (ohm) (6)
(4)

1. 1500 25 0.524

2. 2000 20 0.502

3. 5000 9 0.556

AVG=0.545
Result
1. The resistance of the given galvanometer = 9.3 Ω.
2. The figure of merit of a given galvanometer = 0.545 A/dn.

Precautions
3. All the plugs in the resistance box should be tight.
4. The e.m.f of the cell or battery should be constant.
5. High resistance from the resistance box should be introduced in the circuit otherwise
excessive current will flow through the ammeter and it can be damaged.