1

VELAMMAL BODHI CAMPUS - KUMBAKONAM

PHYSICS LAB MANUAL
CLASS: XII

NOTE: While writing in the record, strictly follow the below; (if any doubt, confirm
withteacher and then proceed)

LEFT HAND SIDE (UNRULED PAGE) – 1. Circuit Diagram / Ray Diagram

2. Observation and Observation Tables
3. Calculation
4. Model Graph
(if any draw after observation table),
RIGHT HAND SIDE (RULED PAGE) –
1. Aim
2. Apparatus and Materials Required,
3.Formula,
4. Procedure,
5. Result,
6. Precautions,
7. Sources of error
 2

Experiment No. -1
Date:

DETERMINATION OF RESISTIVITY OF TWO WIRES BY PLOTTING A GRAPH FOR

POTENTIAL DIFFERENCE VERSUS CURRENT.

AIM
To determine resistance and resistivity of two wires by plotting a graph for potential difference
versus current.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

A wire of unknown resistance, battery eliminator, voltmeter, ammeter, rheostat, plug key,
connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

FORMULAE
𝑉
(i) Resistance of the given wire, 𝑅 =
𝐼
V- potential difference across the wire
I – current flowing through the wire

(ii) Specific resistance or resistivity of the material of the given wire is

𝑅𝜋𝐷2
𝜌=
4𝑙
R- resistance of the wire
L – length of the wire
D – Diameter of the wire

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

MODEL GRAPH

From the graph Resistance of the

wire R=BC/AB
 3
PROCEDURE
1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with the help of sand paper in order to remove any
insulating coating on them.
2. Connect various components - resistance, rheostat, battery, key, voltmeter and ammeter as
shown in circuit diagram.
3. Note whether pointers in ammeter and voltmeter coincide with the zero mark on the measuring
scale. If it is not so, adjust the pointer to coincide with the zero mark by adjusting the screw
provided near the base of the needle using a screw driver.
4. Note the range and least count of the given voltmeter and ammeter.
5. Insert the key K and slide the rheostat contact to one of its extreme ends, so that current
passing through the resistance
6. Note the ammeter and voltmeter readings.
7. Remove the key K and allow the wire to cool, if heated. Again insert the key. Shift the
rheostat contact slightly to increase the applied voltage. Note the ammeter and voltmeter reading.
8. Repeat step 7 for four different settings of the rheostat. Record your observations in a tabular
form. Repeat the same for other material.

OBSERVATIONS
Range of ammeter =
Least count of ammeter =
Range of voltmeter =
Least count of voltmeter =
Length of the wire 1, l1 =
Length of the wire 2, l2 =
Diameter of wire 1, D1=
Diameter of wire 2, D2=

OBSERVATION TABLE: To find unknown resistance

Material Sl.No. Volt meter Ammeter Resistance, Mean R

Readings Readings R=V/I
(V) (A) (Ω) (Ω)
I 1
2
3
4
5
II 1
2
3
4
5

CALCULATION
 4
RESULT
1. The potential difference across the given wire varies linearly with the current.
2. The resistance of the given wires from
i. Calculation
a) Material I, R= ............. Ω
b) Material II, R= ............ Ω

ii. Graph
a) Material I, R=..............Ω
b) Material II, R= .............. Ω

3. The resistivity of the given wires from

i. Calculation
a) Material I, ρ= ............... Ω m
b) Material II, ρ= ................ Ω m

ii. Graph
a) Material I, ρ= ............... Ω m
b) Material II, ρ= ................ Ω m

PRECAUTIONS
1. Connections should be made neat and clean and as in the circuit diagram.
2. The wire used should be having uniform area of cross-section.
3. Zero error in measuring instruments (voltmeter, ammeter, metre scale) should be corrected.
4. The key should be inserted only while taking observations, as excessive flow of current causes
unnecessary heating of the wire.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Connections may not be correct
2. The wire used may not be of uniform area of cross-section.
3. The Ammeter or Voltmeter may have zero error.

Experiment No. -2
Date:

METER BRIDGE -DETERMINATION OF UNKNOWN RESISTANCE

AIM
To determine the resistance of a given wire using a metre bridge

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Metre bridge, a wire about 1m long (of material whose specific resistance is to be determined), a
resistance box, a galvanometer, a jockey, one-way key, a cell or battery eliminator, thick
connecting wires, sand paper
 5
FORMULA
Unknown resistance of the wire,
𝑹(𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝒍)
𝑿= 𝒍
R - resistance in the resistance box
l - balancing length

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE
1. Draw the circuit diagram given above and make the connections according to the circuit
diagram.
2. Remove the insulations from the ends of the connecting wires with the help of sand paper
and make neat, clean and tight connections.
3. Make sure that the resistance in the resistance box is of same order of magnitude as the
unknown resistance X.
4. To check whether the connections of the circuit are correct, Touch the jockey gently, first at
the left and then at the right end of the metre bridge wire. If the deflections in the galvanometer
are in opposite directions, the connections are correct.
5. Now choose an appropriate resistance R from the resistance box. Slide the jockey on the
metre bridge wire gently by touching and lifting it again and again till the galvanometer reads
zero nearly in the middle of the wire.
6. Record the lengths of both parts of the wire in the observation table.
7. Repeat the above steps two times more by selecting the suitable values of R for getting null
point between 30 cm and 70 cm.
8. Now cut the resistance wire X at the points where it leaves binding terminals. Straighten itby
stretching and remove 3 kinks.
9. Measure the diameter of the wire by a screw gauge at least the different points. At each point,
the diameter should be measured in two mutually perpendicular directions.
 6
OBSERVATION

To find the resistance of the given wire:

Resistance
Balancing length, AB =ℓ Length, BC =(100-ℓ) 𝑅(100−𝑙)
Sl. X=
R (cm) (cm) 𝑙
No. (Ω)
(Ω)
1
2
3
4
5
Mean resistance, X

CALCULATIONS

RESULT
The resistance of the material of the given wire is ...............ohm

PRECAUTIONS
1. Connections should be made tight, neat and clean and as in the circuit diagram.
2. The meter bridge wire used should be having uniform area of cross-section.
3. The key should be inserted only while taking observations, as excessive flow of current causes
unnecessary heating of the wire.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Connections may not be correct
2. The meter bridge wire used may not be of uniform area of cross-section.
3.The key may not be plugged in properly.
 7
Experiment No. - 3
Date:

VERIFICATION OF THE LAW OF COMBINATION OF RESISTANCES (RESISTANCES IN

SERIES) USING A METRE BRIDGE

AIM
To verify the laws of the combination of resistances (Resistances in Series) using a meter bridge.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Meter Bridge, Battery Eliminator, Resistance Box, Galvanometer, Jockey, Sand Paper, Connecting
wire, two unknown resistance wires, Plug key

FORMULAE
(i) The resistance of a resistance wire or a coil is given by
𝑹(𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝒍)
𝒓=
𝒍
R is the resistance from the resistance box in the left gap,
l is the length of the meter bridge wire from zero ends up to the balance point.

(ii) When two resistors r1 and r2 are connected in series, their combined resistance is given as follows:
Rs = r1 + r2

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
 8
PROCEDURE
1. Draw the circuit diagram given above and make the connections according to the circuit
diagram.
2. Remove the insulations from the ends of the connecting wires with the help of sand paperand
make neat, clean and tight connections.
3. Make sure that the resistance in the resistance box is of same order of magnitude as the
unknown resistance r1.
4. To check whether the connections of the circuit are correct, Touch the jockey gently, first atthe
left and then at the right end of the metre bridge wire. If the deflections in the galvanometer are
in opposite directions, the connections are correct.
5. Now choose an appropriate resistance R from the resistance box. Slide the jockey on the
metre bridge wire gently by touching and lifting it again and again till the galvanometer reads
zero nearly in the middle of the wire.
6. Record the lengths of both parts of the wire in the observation table.
7. Repeat the above steps two times more by selecting the suitable values of R for getting null
point between 30 cm and 70 cm.
8. Also repeat the above steps to find r2.
9. Connect the two resistance coils r1 and r2 in the right side gap in series as shown in the figure.
10. Repeat the same procedure to find the series combination of r1 and r2.

OBSERVATIONS
Resistance S.No Resistance Length AD Length DC = Resistance Mean
coil from the =l (100 – l) r=(100−l) R/ Resistance
resistance box l
(ohm)
(ohm) (cm)
(cm)
r1 1
2 r1 =……..
3
4
r2 1
2 r2 =……..
3
4
Rs 1
2 Rs =……
3
4

CALCULATION
 9

RESULT
Series combination of two resistances

(i) By Experiment, Rs = ................. ohm

(ii) By Calculation, Rs = ................ ohm

Within limits of experimental error, theoretical and experimental values of Rs are the same.
Hence, the law of resistance in series is verified.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Connections should be made tight, neat and clean and as in the circuit diagram.
2. The meter bridge wire used should be having uniform area of cross-section.
3. The key should be inserted only while taking observations, as excessive flow of current causes
unnecessary heating of the wire.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Connections may not be correct
2. The meter bridge wire used may not be of uniform area of cross-section.
3.The key may not be plugged in properly.

Experiment No. - 4
Date:
DETERMINATION OF RESISTANCE OF A GALVANOMETER BY HALF-DEFLECTION
METHOD AND TO FIND ITS FIGURE OF MERIT.

AIM
To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by half deflection method and find it’s figure of
merit

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Galvanometer, A battery eliminator (0 - 6 V), resistance box, plug keys, voltmeter,
connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

FORMULAE
(i) Resistance of galvanometer G by half deflection method is,
𝑹𝑺
𝑮=
𝑹−𝑺
R – High resistance in the resistance box
S – shunt resistance which reduces the deflection to θ/2
𝑬
(ii) Figure of merit, 𝑲 =
(𝑹+𝑮)𝜃

E – emf of the cell,

θ- deflection in the galvanometer
 10
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE
1. Clean the connecting wires with sand paper and make neat and tight connections as per the
circuit diagram.
2. From the high resistance box (RBOX 1) (1-10 kΩ), remove 5 kΩ key and then close the key
K1. Adjust the resistance R from this resistance box to get full scale deflection on the
galvanometer dial.
Record the values of resistance, R and deflection θ.
3. Insert the key K2 and keep R fixed. Adjust the value of shunt resistance S to get the deflection
in the galvanometer which is exactly half of θ. Note down S. Remove plug K2 after noting down
the value of shunt resistance, S.
4. Take five sets of observations by repeating steps 2 and 3 so that θ is even number of divisions
and record the observations for R, S, θ and θ/2 in tabular form.
5. Calculate the galvanometer resistance G and figure of merit k of galvanometer respectively.

OBSERVATION
Emf of the battery E = ............. V

Mean G = ............... ohm

Mean K = ................ A/div
 11
CALCULATION

RESULT
1. Resistance of galvanometer by half deflection method, G = ............. Ω
2. Figure of merit of galvanometer, K = ............... ampere/division

PRECAUTIONS
1. Connections should be made tight, neat and clean and as in the circuit diagram.
2. The keys should be plugged in properly.
3.Emf of the battery should be constant.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Connections may not be correct
2.The keys may not be plugged in properly.
3.Emf of the battery may not be constant.

Experiment No. - 5
Date:

DETERMINATION OF FOCAL LEGTH OF CONCAVE MIRROR

AIM
To find the value of v for different values of u in case of a concave mirror and to find the focal length.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Concave mirror, source box, mirror stand, metre scale.

FORMULA
𝑢𝑣
𝑓=−
𝑢+𝑣

f = focal length of concave mirror (m)

u = object distance (m)
v = image distance (m)
 12
RAY DIAGRAM

AB – Object, A’B’ - image

OBSERVATION

Rough focal length = x10-2m

𝑢𝑣
Sl.No. Object distance (u) Image distance (v) 𝑓=−
𝑢+𝑣
(x10-2m) (x10-2m) (x10-2m)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

PROCEDURE
1. Find out the rough focal length by focusing the mirror on a distant object and obtaining its
image on the screen.
2. Keep the source box and screen facing the mirror. Place the mirror at about 2f from the source.
Note the distance between mirror and object. Adjust the screen and obtain a clear image. Note
the distance between mirror and the screen.
3. Repeat the experiment for at least for five different values of object distance and note down the
values of image distance
4. Tabulate the readings
5. The focal length of the concave mirror can be find using the formula

f = - uv/(u+v)
 13
PRECAUTIONS
1. The source, mirror and screen should be at same height.
2. Measure the value of v only when a clear image is formed on the screen.
3. The mirror must be placed in the mirror stand vertically.
4. Choose a mirror of small focal length.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The mirror may not be vertical.
2. Measurement the value of v may be taken when the image formed on the screen is not clear.
3. Focal length of the mirror may not be small.
4. The source, mirror and screen may not be at same height.

RESULT
The focal length of the given concave mirror was found to be ................................. m

Experiment No. - 6
Date:

CONVEX LENS – DETERMININATION OF FOCAL LENGTH

AIM
To find focal length of a given convex lens by plotting graphs between u and v

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Convex lens, lens stand, illuminated (light box) wire gauge, white screen, meter scale.

FORMULA

𝑢𝑣
𝑓=
𝑢+𝑣

Where f - Focal length of convex lens (m),

u - object distance (m)
v - image distance (m)

RAY DIAGRAM
 14
OBSERVATION
Rough focal length = x10-2 m

Sl.No Object distance, u Image distance, v 𝑢𝑣

𝑓=
𝑢+𝑣
(x10-2 m) (x10-2 m)
(x10-2 m)
1
2
3
4
5
6
7

PROCEDURE
Determine rough focal length by distance object method. Focus the lens on a distant object keeping the
screen behind it. The image is caught on the screen. This gives approximate focal length of the convex
lens.
1. U-V method
The lens is mounted on the stand and placed between the light box and the screen
(2cm below 2f). Adjust the screen to get a clear image. The distance between the lens and the light
box is ‘u’ and that between the lens and screen is ‘v’. The experiment is repeated for 2 readings
below and 3 above ‘2f’ and tabulated.
2. Calculations using graphical method
‘u-v’ graph
A graph is drawn taking ‘u’ along x axis and ‘v’ along y axis. Choosing the same scales, points are
plotted for different values of ‘u’ and ‘v’ and a smooth curve is drawn. The bisects of the angle are
drawn. This meets the curve at point C.
Perpendiculars from C to the axes are drawn. The lengths OB and OC are equal and equal to 2f.
hence f is calculated.

MODEL GRAPH
 15
PRECAUTIONS
1. The source, lens and screen should be at same height.
2. Measure the value of v only when a clear image is formed on the screen.
3. The lens should be placed in the lens stand vertically.
4. Choose a mirror of small focal length.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The mirror may not be vertical.
2. Measurement the value of v may be taken when the image formed on the screen is not clear.
3. Focal length of the mirror may not be small.
4. The source, mirror and screen may not be at same height.
RESULT
The focal length of the convex lens is determined as:
1. By calculation: ……………………….
2. By u - v graph: ……………………….

Experiment No. - 7
Date:
REFRACTION THROUGH A GLASS PRISM

AIM
To determine the angle of minimum deviation for a given prism by plotting a graph between angle of
incidence and angle of deviation.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

A drawing board, A white sheet of paper, A prism, Drawing pins, Pencil, A half-meter scale, Office
pins, Protractor, Graph paper

THEORY
Refraction takes place when a light ray travels from one medium to another resulting in deviation of the
emergent ray from that of the incident ray. Following is the refractive index of the material used in the
prism:
𝐴 + 𝐷𝑚
sin ( 2 )
𝑛=
𝐴
𝑠𝑖𝑛 (2)
Where 𝐷𝑚 is the angle of minimum deviation and A is the angle of the prism.
 16
RAY DIAGRAM

Refraction through prism at different angles

PROCEDURE

1. Place the white sheet of paper on the drawing board and fix it with the help of drawing pins.
2. XX’ is the straight line which is drawn parallel to the length of the paper such that it is in the
middle of the paper.
3. Mark points Q1, Q2, Q3…… on the straight line XX’ at a distance of 5 cm each.
4. N1Q1, N2Q2,… are the normals that are drawn on the points Q1, Q2,… as shown in the ray
diagram.
5. Make angles of 30°, 35°,….,55° by drawing straight lines R1Q1, R2Q2,… ...... With respect to the
normals.
6. To take one edge of the prism for all the observation, mark any corner of the prism as A.
7. Place the prism with its refracting face AB on the line XX’ and on the point Q1 and also in the
middle of AB.
8. Mark the boundary of the prism.
9. On the line, R1Q1, fix office pins vertically and mark them as P1 and P2. the distance between
these pins should not be less than 10mm.
10. Through prism face, AC, look for the images of the points P1 and P2.
11. Close your left eye and with the right eye open, bring it in line with the two images.
12. Fix the other two office pins vertically and name them as P3 and P4. These pins should be 10cm
apart from each other. P3 and P4 should be in one straight with respect to the images of P1 and
P2 .
13. Encircle the pricks of pins P3 and P4.
14. For points, Q2, Q3,…. for angle 35°, 40°,… 55°, repeat the steps 7 to 13.
 17
TO MEASURE ‘D’ IN DIFFERENT CASES

1. To get emergent rays S1T1, S2T2,….. draw straight lines through P4 and P5.
2. Inward the boundary of the prism to produce T1S1, T2,S2….. so that they meet incident rays
R1Q1, R2Q2,…. at points F1, F2,…
3. To obtain the angle of deviation D 1, D 2,…. measure the angles K1F1S1, K2F2,S2,…….
4. Note these angles.

TO MEASURE ANGLE A

1. To get angle A, measure the angle BCA in the boundary of the prism.
2. Record the observations.

OBSERVATION
The angle of prism, A =……

Angle of deviation -
Sl No. Angle of incidence – i
D

1 30°
2 35°
3 40°
4 45°
5 50°
6 55°

CALCULATION
To plot the graph between the angle of incidence ∠i and the angle of deviation ∠𝐷, take ∠i along the x-
axis and ∠D along the y-axis. Minimum deviation Dm can be found from the graph which would be
corresponding to the lowest point in the graph.
MODEL GRAPH

Let the value of angle of minimum deviation, Dm = …..

 18
RESULT
The angle of minimum deviation, Dm = ………

The graph indicates that the angle of incidence increases, the angle of deviation first decreases to attain
the minimum value of Dm and then increases as the angle of incidence increases.

PRECAUTIONS
1. 30°-55° is the angle of incidence that needs to be maintained.
2. The placement of the pins must be vertical.
3. The placement of two pins should be such that the distance is not more than 10 mm.
4. To represent incident and emergent rays arrowheads must be marked.
5. The angle of prism used should be the same for all the observations.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. All the pins may not be straight.
2. Drawing boards may not be levelled.
3.Position of prism may be disturbed.
4.Prism may be uncleaned and broken.

Experiment No. - 8
Date:

P-N JUNCTION DIODE - V-I CHARACTERISTIC CURVE IN FORWARD BIAS AND

REVERSE BIAS.

AIM
To draw the V-I characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward bias and reverse bias.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

p-n junction diode, Variable battery, Voltmeter (0-3 V), Voltmeter (0-20V), Ammeter (0-100 mA),
Ammeter (0-100 μA), Connecting wires, Piece of sandpaper

THEORY
Forward bias characteristics
The junction is said to be forward biased when the p-section of the diode is connected to the positive
terminal of the battery and the n-section of the diode is connected to the negative terminal of the
battery. With an increase in the voltage, the current also increases. For Si diode, at 0.7 V the current
increases suddenly.
Reverse bias characteristics
The junction is said to be reverse biased when the p-section of the diode is connected to the negative
terminal of the battery and the n-section of the diode is connected to the positive terminal of the battery.
With an increase in the voltage, there is a small change in the current but the reverse current increases
to a higher value with an increase in the voltage.
 19
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE
For forward-bias

1. The circuit connections should be as shown in the diagram.

2. All the connections should be neat, clean and tight.
3. For voltmeter (V) and milli-ammeter (mA), least count and zero error should be noted.
4. To get the zero reading from the voltmeter and milli-ammeter, rheostat should be brought near
the negative end by inserting the key K.
5. To apply the forward bias voltage (VF) of 0.1V, the contact should be moved towards the
positive end. The current remains zero.
6. Keeping current zero, increase the forward bias voltage up to 0.3 V for Ge diode.
7. To record a small current using milli-ammeter, increase the VF to 0.4 V.
8. Increase the VF by 0.2 V and record the corresponding current. When the VF becomes 0.7 V, the
current will increase rapidly.
9. When VF = 0.72 V, the current increases suddenly and this is known as forward breakdown
stage.
10. Take out the key if forward current won’t change as VF increased beyond forward breakdown.
11. Record the observations.

For reverse bias

1. The circuit connections should be as shown in the diagram.

2. All the connections should be neat, clean and tight.
3. Note the least count and zero error of voltmeter (V) and micro-ammeter (μA).
4. To get zero reading from the voltmeter V and micro-ammeter μA, insert the key K and bring the
rheostat near the positive end.
5. To apply reverse bias voltage (VR) of 0.5 V, move the rheostat to the negative end so as to flow
the reverse current.
6. Increase VR by 0.2 V and record the corresponding current. When VR becomes 20 V, the current
will increase rapidly.
7. When VR = 25 V, the current increases suddenly and this is known as reverse breakdown stage.
Record the current reading and take off the key.
8. Record the observations.
 20
TABLE FOR FORWARD BIAS VOLTAGE AND FORWARD CURRENT
Sl.no Forward bias Forward current
voltage VF in V IF in mA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14

TABLE FOR REVERSE BIAS VOLTAGE AND REVERSE CURRENT

Sl.no Reverse bias voltage Reverse current
VR in V IR in μA
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
 21
CALCULATIONS
For forward bias
Plot a graph between VF and IF taking VF on the x-axis and IF on the y-axis. The graph obtained is
known as forward bias characteristic curve.
For reverse bias
Plot a graph between VR and IR taking VR on the x-axis and IR on the y-axis. The graph obtained is
known as reverse bias characteristic curve.

MODEL GRAPH

RESULT
V-I characteristic curve of a p-n junction in forward bias and reverse bias are drawn

PRECAUTIONS
1. The connections should be neat, clean and tight.
2. Key should be used when the circuit is being used.
3. Beyond breakdown, forward bias voltage should not be applied.
4.Beyond breakdown, reverse bias voltage should not be applied.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Connections may not be correct
2. Ammeter and voltmeter may have zero error
3. Faulty junction diode might be supplied.
 22
Activity No. - 1
Date:

TO ASSEMBLE THE COMPONENTS OF A GIVEN ELECTRICAL CIRCUIT

AIM
To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit.

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

A voltmeter and an ammeter of appropriate range, a battery, a rheostat, plug key, an unknown
resistance, connecting wires, a piece of sand paper.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE

1. Connect the components (Resistors, inductors etc.) in series with each other as shown in diagram and
then in series with the battery.
2. Connect the ammeter in series with the circuit, to measure the current.
3. Connect the voltmeter in parallel to the resistor, to measure the potential difference.
4. Connect the switch in series with the battery.
5. Assembly of the electrical components in electric circuit is complete.

UTILITY
It is used for measuring an unknown resistance.
 23
Activity No. - 2
Date:

CORRECTION OF A GIVEN CIRCUIT

AIM
To draw the diagram of a given open circuit comprising at least a battery, resistor/rheostat, key,
ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the components that are not connected in proper order and correct the
circuit and also the circuit diagram.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

A wire of unknown resistance, battery eliminator, voltmeter, ammeter, rheostat, plug key,
connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

PROCEDURE
1. Check the open circuit diagram in which components are not in proper order
2. Make sure that ammeter and rheostat are connected in series and voltmeter in parallel to
the resistor
3. Rearrange the ammeter, rheostat and voltmeter if they are not connected properly
4. Check the variation in voltmeter and ammeter and the variation must be linear

RESULT
The given circuit has been corrected

INCORRECT CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

CORRECTED CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

 24
Activity No. - 3
Date:

VARIATION IN POTENTIAL DROP WITH LENGTH OF A WIRE FOR A STEADY CURRENT

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

APPARATUS AND MATERIALS REQUIRED

Potentiometer, battery eliminator, rheostat, plug key, voltmeter, jockey, ammeter, high resistance box,
connecting wires.

THEORY
For a potentiometer of uniform material density and thickness carrying steady current, potential drop is
directly proportional to the length of the wire, V α l.

DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE
1. Connect the positive pole of the battery to end A of the potentiometer and negative pole through a
key, ammeter and a rheostat to end B
2. Connect the voltmeter to A and a jockey to it through a high resistance box.
3. Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and note the variation in the voltmeter.
4. Measure the voltmeter reading for each 50 cm on the wire.
5. Take minimum 5 voltmeter readings.

OBSERVATION TABLE

Sl. Length of the potentiometer wire, l Volt meter reading K = V/l

No. (x10-2 m) (volt) (volt/metre)
 25
RESULT
The potential drop is directly proportional to the length of the wire and the ratio of V/l is constant and is
known as potential gradient.

Activity No. - 4
Date:
 26

DIAGRAM
 27

Activity No. - 5
Date:
 28

RAY DIAGRAM
 29
Activity No. - 6
Date:
30