AMERICAN INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY–BANGLADESH (AIUB)

FACULTY OF SCIENCE &

TECHNOLOGY DEPARTMENT OF
PHYSICS
PHYSICS LAB 1
Fall 2022-2023
Section: B9 , Group: 03

LAB REPORT ON

“To determine the internal resistance of a cell using a

potentiometer”

Supervised By
DR. MD. MOZAHAR ALI

Submitted By
Name ID Contribution
1.Sanjina Haque 22-48854-3 Title Page, Table of Content,
Experimental Data, Calculation
2.Mahfuja Anjum Chowdhury 22-48828-3 Procedure, Result
3..Rokiya Ibne Tanha 22-48833-3 Theory, Apparatus
4.Nawshin Anjum Prima 22-48839-3 Discussion, References

Date of Submission: December 04, 2022

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

TOPICS Page no.

I. Title Page 1
II. Table of Content 2
1. Theory 3
2. Apparatus 4
3. Procedure 4
4. Experimental Data 5
5. Calculation 6
6. Result 6
7. Discussion 6
8. References 6

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 2 of 6

 1. Theory
A cell or any other source which supplies a potential difference to the circuit to which it is
connected has within it some resistance called internal resistance. When there is no current in
the cell, at an open circuit, the potential difference E between its terminal is maximum and is
called its electro-motive force or e.m.f. When the cell is discharging, at a closed circuit, its
terminal potential difference is reduced to e because of the internal drop of potential across
its internal resistance b.

Figure: Circuit to determine a cell's internal resistance using a potentiometer.

In the figure, the balance point for cell E1 whose internal resistance b is to be determined, at a
distance l1 from the end A of the potentiometer with key K 2 open, is found usual. Then a
resistance R is introduced in the resistance box RB and the key K 2 is closed. As E and e are
the potential difference at the open and closed circuits and b is the internal resistance of the
E–e
cell. We have b = where i is the current flowing through the circuit when the key K2 is
i

closed. Again i = e .
R

b = E–e 𝑅 = (E − 1)𝑅----------------(1)
e e
E l1
As E and e are proportional to l1 and l2, we have = .
e l2

From (1),
l1–l2
b = ( l-1)R
1 = 𝑅 -----------------(2)
l2 R

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 3 of 6

 2. Apparatus
1) Potentiometer. 2) Battery E.
3) Cell E1. 4) Resistance box R.
5) Rheostat Rh. 6) Two keys K1 and K2.
7) Zero-center galvanometer. 8) Connecting wires.
9) Jockey.

3. Procedure
 The positive terminal of the battery E had been connected to the binding screw A of
the potentiometer and the negative terminal of the battery through Rh and the key K 1
to the binding screw B of the potentiometer. Joining the positive terminal of the cell
E1 whose internal resistance was being determined, to the binding screw A of the
potentiometer and its negative terminal through the galvanometer G to the jockey.
Also, the resistance box R.B had been connected through the key K 2 to the two
terminals of the cell E1. It was better to put a shunt across the G.
 A small resistance in the rheostat Rh was adjusted and the key K 1 closed. The key K2
was kept open and the jockey was first pressed near the end A and then near the end
B of the potentiometer wire.
 The key K2 was closed without changing Rh and was taken out a resistance 10 ohms
from the R.B and the balance point was determined and the distance l 2 of the balance
point from A was calculated. Then 20,30,40,50 ohms was removed from R.B and
the value of l2 was determined in each case.
 The value of b from the relation (2) was calculated for each value of R and then
the mean value of b was calculated.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 4 of 6

 4. Experimental Data
Table: Balance point on the Potentiometer.

No. of Circuit Resistance Value of Internal Mean b

Ohms
Obs. Ohms Resistance
l1 cm Mean l1 l2 cm Mean l2
b Ohms
cm cm

457

Open Infinity 455 454.7 × × ×

452.1

454

1 Closed 110 × 448.6 450.2 1.099

448

451

2 Closed 120 × 450.6 450.1 1.22

450

451 1.7278
3 Closed 130 × 450 449 1.65

449

457

4 Closed 140 × 456 448 2.09

451

449

5 Closed 150 × 449 447 2.58

443

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 5 of 6

 5. Analysis and Calculation
Internal resistance b = (l1 − 1)𝑅
l2

1) 1.099 ohm
2) 1.22 ohm
3) 1.65 ohm
4) 2.09 ohm
5) 2.58 ohm.
1.099+1.22+1.65+2.09+2.58
Mean internal resistance = = 1.7278 ohm.
5

6. Result
Internal resistance = 1.7278 ohm.

7. Discussion
 The pieces of equipment were checked carefully.
 The wires were connected tightly.
 The values were taken carefully.
 Then the values were calculated carefully and then we got the internal resistance.
The value of internal resistance b was calculated through this equation,

b = (l1 − 1)𝑅
l2

8. References
For further understanding:

 Fundamental of Physics(10th Edition): Potential difference.

 Video links: Prof.Hemant Dongre, Internal Resistance of Cell using
Potentiometer- YouTube
 Google: https://www.khanacademy.org/science/in-in-class-12th-physics-india/in-in-current-
electricity/x51bd77206da864f3:potentiometers/v/potentiometer-calculating-internal-resistance-of-a-
cell#:~:text=To%20calculate%20internal%20resistance%2C%20we,the%20balancing%20length%20is%
20smaller.

Lab Report Department of Physics Page 6 of 6