Experiment No.

01a

Comparison of e.m.f. of cells using potentiometer

Apparatus: Potentiometer, Accumulator, Rheostat, Galvanometer and Jockey, Protective

Resistor (100 ), Two keys, Two different Cells (Leclanche and Daniel).

Theory: Let  be the potential difference per 1 cm in the potentiometer. Let the balancing length
of potentiometer for two cells E1 and E2 be l1 and l2.

Then E1 =  l1 and E2 =  l2

E1 l1

E2 l2

E R

K1

l1 J
A B
E1
r G

E2
K2

Procedure: Connect the accumulator, E with the potentiometer, AB in series with key, K1 and
rheostat, R which should initially set at zero resistance as shown in the figure. Connect the
positive terminal of the cell E1 to A and negative terminal across protective resistor, r and the
galvanometer G to the jockey J.

Touching the jockey on the AB wire, find the position of the balance point to the nearest
centimeter. Remove the protective resistor by closing key K2 and measure the distance l1 of the
balance point from A as accurately as possible. Increasing the resistance of rheostat R and get

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two more readings for l1. Repeat the above procedure fore connecting cell E2 in the place of E1 to
get three readings for l2.

Readings:

Record the balanced lengths l1 and l2 of the potentiometer with the uncertainties,  l1 and  l2.

Rheostat settings R0 R1 R2
Balanced l1 for
cell E1 (cm)
Balanced l2 for
cell E2 (cm)

Calculations:

E1 l1
Using the relation  find
E2 l2

 E1   E1   E1 
        
 E2  R0  E 2  R1  E2  R 2

E1
Therefore, 
E2

Error Calculations:

 E1 
    
 E2  R 0

 E1 
    
 E 2  R1

2
  E1 
    
 E2  R 2

 E1 
    
 2
E

Discussion:

1. What are the inherent errors occur in this experiment?

2. How do you minimize the errors in this experiment?

3. How do you modify this experiment to measure unknown e.m.f. of a cell?

Conclusion:

E1
Final result of with uncertainty = 
E2

(To the nearest two decimal points)

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Experiment No. 01b

Measuring the internal resistance of a cell using potentiometer

Apparatus: Potentiometer, Accumulator, Resistance box, Galvanometer and Jockey, Protective

Resistor (100 ), Three keys, (Leclanche or Daniel) Cell.

Theory: When balance condition is obtained connecting a cell to a potentiometer without

drawing a current, e.m.f. of the cell is given by,

E =  l1

Where  is the potential gradient and l1 is the balanced length of the potentiometer.

But when balance condition is obtained connecting a cell to a potentiometer drawing a current,
the voltage of the cell is given by,

V =  l2

Where l2 is the balanced length of the potentiometer (l1 > l2).

E l1
Thus 
V l2

Also, when current I is drawn from the cell connected to a load R

E = I (r + R) and

V=IR

E rR r
Above two equations gives   1
V R R

E l1 l1 r  R r
Substituting  ,   1
V l2 l2 R R

1 r1 1
Rearranging the equation;    is in the form y = mx + c
l 2  l1  R l1

Plot a graph 1/l2 Vs. 1/R and calculate r from the gradient of the graph.

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 E

K1

l1 J
A B

E r G
100

R K3 K2

Procedure: Connect the circuit as shown in the figure. Find the balance length l1 disconnecting
resistor box, R from the circuit by keeping key K3 open. Now close the key K3 and change the
value of R to find the balance position, l2 for different values of R.

Readings:

Record the balanced length of l1 with the uncertainty,  l1

l1 =  cm

Record the balanced lengths of l2 of the potentiometer for different values of R with the
uncertainties,  l2.

R ()

l2 (cm)

Calculations:

The gradient, m and intercept, c of the graph plotted 1/R vs 1/ l2 are,

m= c=

m
r 
c

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Error calculation:

m= 

c=

r=

Discussion:

4. What are the inherent errors occur in this experiment?

5. How do you minimize the errors in this experiment?

6. How do you modify this experiment to measure unknown resistance?

Conclusion:

Internal resistance, r of the cell with uncertainty =  

(To the nearest two decimal points)