EXPERIMENT 3

Aim:- To verify the laws of combination (series) of resistances using a metre bridge.

Apparatus:- A metre bridge, a sensitive galvanometer, two unknown resistances, a

resistance box, a jockey, a plug key, a cell or battery eliminator, connecting wires and a piece
of sandpaper.

Circuit Diagram:-

.
Theory:-

A meter bridge is a practical application of wheatstone bridge. An unknown resistance can be

found with the help of Meter Bridge using the following expressions.

X=R[100-L]/L

When two resistances R1 and R2 are connected in series, the resistance of the combination
RS is given by
RS = R1 + R2

Observations:-

1-Least count of scale=......cm

2-Resistance wire of Meter Bridge is uniform

Observation table:-

Resistance S.NO Resistance Balancing Length CB Unknown Mean

(Ω) from the Length AC (l) (100-l) resistance resistance
resistance box (cm) (cm) (Ω)
(Ω) X=R[100-l]/l

(Ω)

R1 1 5 (Ex) 40 60 7.5

R2 1

R1 and R2 1
in series
2

CALCULATION:-

R1=..............Ω and R2=..............Ω

Rs= R1 + R2=...............Ω

RESULT:-

1. The experimental value of the series combination of resistances is =……..Ω

2. The theoretically expected value of the series combination of resistances is =……...Ω
3. Laws of series combination of resistances is verified within the limit of experimental
errors.
Precautions (any two):-

1. All the connections and plugs should be tight.

2. Plug keys of the resistance box should be made tight by rotating it in clockwise
direction.

Sources of error (any two):-

1. The jockey should not be pressed too hard on the metre bridge wire. Otherwise, the
wire may become non-uniform during the course of time.
2. If large current is passed for a sufficiently long time, the wire AC may get heated and
its resistance may change considerably during the time of experiment

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