PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT

CONVERTION OF
GALVANOMETER INTO
VOLTMETER

NAME: LIJIYA VARGHESE

CLASS: XII-D
BOARD ROLL NO:
YEAR: 2022 -2023
SCHOOL: ST PAUL’S SCHOOL
 Certificate
This is to certify that ……………..……………… of class XII A/D,

Board Roll No:…………………………. has successfully completed

his/her investigatory project entitled “……TOPIC………….” under

the guidance of Mr. Janeesh K. J during the year 2023 -24 in partial

fulfillment of the AISSCE physics practical examination as set by

Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi.

This project is absolutely genuine and does not indulge any kind

of plagiarism.

…………………..

Internal Examiner

…………………….. ……………………

External Examiner Principal

 I would like to express my sincere
gratitude to my chemistry teacher Ms.
Janeesh K J who gave me a golden
opportunity to do this wonderful project on
the topic To convert the given
galvanometer (of known resistance and
figure of merit) into voltmeter of desired
range and to verify the same.
This project helped me in doing a lot of
research and I came to know about many
new things. Then I would like to thank the
laboratory assistant Mr. Kunjumon Daniel
for the assistance and cooperation.
I would like to express my heartiest
gratitude to my friends, family members
and all those people who selflessly
devoted time for any help that was
required.

Lijiya Varghese
 INDEX
S.NO. TOPICS

1 COVER PAGE

2 CERTIFICATE

3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

4 INTRODUCTION

5 AIM

6 APPARATUS

7 THEORY

8 PROCEDURE

9 OBSERVATIONS

10 CALCULATIONS

11 RESULT

12 PRECAUTIONS

13 BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION

VOLTMETER
Voltmeter which is also known as voltage meter is an instrument that measures the voltage
or potential difference among two points of an electronic or electrical circuit. Usually, the
voltmeter is used for Alternating Current (AC) circuits or Direct Current (DC) circuit. A
voltmeter is a device that measures voltages of direct current or alternating current on a
scale commonly in volts, millivolts, or kilovolts. Many voltmeters are digital that give readings
as numerical displays.
A voltmeter also has high internal resistance. As such the current of the measuring device
remains the same. In other words, the high resistance of the voltmeter will impede the flow of
current through it. This allows the device to take correct readings of the voltage.
The basic principle of a voltmeter is that it must be connected in parallel to the circuit in
which the voltage has to be measured. A parallel connection is used because a voltmeter is
built in such a way that it has a very high resistance value.

GALVANOMETER
A galvanometer is a device that is used to detect small electric current or measure its magnitude.
The current and its intensity is usually indicated by a magnetic needle’s movement or that of a
coil in a magnetic field that is an important part of a galvanometer.A moving coil galvanometer is
an instrument which is used to measure electric currents. It is a sensitive electromagnetic device
which can measure low currents even of the order of a few microamperes.
Moving-coil galvanometers are mainly divided into two types namely Suspended coil
galvanometer and Pivoted-coil or Weston galvanometer.A current-carrying coil when placed in an
external magnetic field experiences magnetic torque. The angle through which the coil is
deflected due to the effect of the magnetic torque is proportional to the magnitude of current in
the coil.
 AIM
To determine the resistance of a galvanometer by half-
deflection method and to find its figure of merit.

APPARATUS

A moving coil galvanometer, a battery or a battery eliminator,

one resistance box, one resistance box, two one way keys, voltmeter,
connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.

THEORY
Galvanometer is a sensitive device used to detect very low current. Its
working is based on the principle that a coil placed in a uniform
magnetic field experiences a torque when an electric current is set up
in it. The deflection of the coil is determined by a pointer attached to it,
moving on the scale.
When a coil carrying current I is placed in a radial magnetic field, the
coil experiences a deflection θ which is related to I as
I=kθ …..(Eq 6.1)
where k is a constant of proportionality and is termed as figure of merit
of the galvanometer.
The circuit arrangement required for finding the resistance G of the
galvanometer by half deflection method is shown in Figure.
When a resistance R is introduced in the circuit, the current Ig
flowing through it is given by
Ig = E
R+G ….(Eq 6.2)
In this case, the key K2 is kept open. Here E is the emf of
battery, G is the resistance of the galvanometer whose
resistance is to be determined.
If the current Ig produces a deflection θ in the galvanometer,
then from equation (Eq 6.1) we get
Ig= k θ …(Eq 6.3)
Combining equations (Eq 6.2) and (Eq 6.3) we get
E
R+G =kθ …(Eq 6.4)

On keeping both the keys K1 and K2 closed and by adjusting

the value of shunt resistance S, the deflection of the
galvanometer needle becomes 1/2(half). As G and S are in
parallel combination and R in series with it, the total resistance
of the circuit
R′= R + GS
G+S ….(Eq 6.5)
The total current, I due to the emf E in the circuit is given by
I= E
R+ GS
G+S …(Eq 6.6)
If I′g is the current through the galvanometer of resistance G,
then
G I′g = S (I – I′g)
or, I′g = IS
G+S …(Eq 6.7)
Substituting the value of I from Equation (Eq 6.6), in equation
(Eq 6.7) the current I′g is given by
 I′g = IS = E . S
G+S R + GS G+S
G+S

I′g = ES
R(G+S) + GS …( Eq 6.8)
For galvanometer current I′g, if the deflection through the
galvanometer is reduced to half of its initial value (= θ/2) then

I′g = k θ = ES
2 R (G+S) + GS

On dividing Eq. (Eq 6.2) by Eq. (Eq 6.8).

Ig = E X R (G+ S) + GS = 2
I′g R+G ES

Or, R(G+S) + GS= 2S(R+G)

 RG = RS+GS
 G(R-S) = RS

Or, G = RS
R-S … (Eq 6.9)

By knowing the values of R and S, the galvanometer resistance

G can be determined. Normally R is chosen very high (~ 10kΩ)
in comparison to S (~ 100 Ω) for which
G~S
The figure of merit (k) of the galvanometer is defined as the
current required for deflecting the pointer by one division. That
is

K=1
θ
For determining the figure of merit of the galvanometer the
key K2 is opened in the circuit arrangement.
Using Eqs. (Eq 6.2) and (Eq 6.3) the figure of merit of the
galvanometer is given by
K=1 E
θ R+G ….(Eq 6.11)
By knowing the values of E, R, G and θ the figure of merit of
the galvanometer can be calculated.

PROCEDURE

1. Clean the connecting wires with sand paper and make neat
and tight connections as per the circuit diagram shown in
the figure.
2. From the high resistance box , 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 using Eqs. (Eq 6.9) and (Eq6.11)
respectively.
 OBSERVATIONS
Emf of the battery E = 4V
Number of divisions on full scale of galvanometer =

To find resistance of galvanometer (G):

S.NO RESISTANCE GALVANOMETER SHUNT HALF GALVANOMETER

DEFLECTION RESISTANCE DEFLECTION
RESISTANCE
R(θ) S(Ω) (θ/2)
(θ) G=RS/R-S(Ω)

1. 7200 14 105 7 106.56

2. 3700 24 105 12 107.10

3. 5700 22 105 11 106.05

4. 6400 20 105 10 106.76

Mean resistance of galvanometer G= 106.61 Ω

Figure Of Merit

S.NO. RESISTANCE GALVANOMETER FIGURE OF

(Ω ) DEFLECTION MERIT
(Ω ) K= E
(R+G) θ
1. 7200 14 2.2 X 10-5
2. 3700 24 2.2 X 10-5
3. 570 22 1.4 X 10-5
4. 6400 20 1.5 X 10-5
Mean figure of merit , K = 1.82 X 10-5

Ig = 30 X 1.82 X 10-5
= 54.6 X 10-5 A
R = VO – G = 4 x 105 - 106.61
Ig 54.6

= 7193.4 ~ 7200 Ω

CALCULATIONS
Mean value of G (resistance of galvanometer) = 106.61Ω
Mean value of k (figure of merit of galvanometer)
= 6.175 X 10-5 ampere/division.

RESULT
1. Resistance of galvanometer by half deflection method, G = 7200 Ω
2. Figure of merit of galvanometer, k = 1.82 X 10-5 ampere/division.

PRECAUTIONS
1. Key K1 should be inserted only after high value of R has been
taken out from resistance box otherwise galvanometer coil may burn.
2. Adjust R such that deflection in galvanometer is of even division so
that θ/2 is more conveniently obtained.
3. Emf of the battery should be constant.
4. Use as high values of R as practically possible. This ensures correct
value of G.
5. All the connections and plugs in the resistance box should
be tight.
 SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Plugs in the resistance boxes may be loose or they may not
be clean.
2. The emf of the battery may not be constant

AIM
To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit)
into a voltmeter of desired range and to verify the same.

APPARATUS
A galvanometer, a voltmeter, battery, 2 resistance box, 2 one way keys, a
rheostat, connecting wires and sandpaper.

THEORY
A galvanometer is an ideal device that is capable of detecting even the
weakest electric currents in an electric circuit. It features a coil suspended or
pivoted between concave pole faces of a strong laminated horseshoe magnet.
The galvanometer shows the deflection when an electric current is passed
through the coil. The deflection is directly proportional to the current passed. A
voltmeter is an instrument used for estimating the electrical potential
difference between 2 points in an electric circuit.
Series resistance required for conversion:
R= V- G
Ig
 PROCEDURE
1. Connect the resistance box in series combination with the galvanometer
and take the plugs of resistance R.
2. A and B are the fixed terminals and C is the variable terminal of the
rheostat.
3. Now the galvanometer functions as a voltmeter of range V Volts.
4. Take out the plugs of calculated resistance R from the resistance box.
5. By using a key, adjust the movable contact of the rheostat such that the
deflection of the galvanometer becomes maximum.
6. Note both the readings of the galvanometer and voltmeter.
7. Convert the readings of the galvanometer into volts.
8. Find the difference in the reading. This difference between voltmeter
reading and galvanometer reading gives the error.
9. By moving the variable contact of rheostat, take 5 readings covering the
range of voltmeters from 0-3 Volts.

OBSERVATION
The Least count of galvanometer converted into voltmeter = V/n = 0.13

S.NO. GALVANOMETER READINGS STANDARD Standard voltmeter

VOLTMETER V2 reading V2 – V1
θ The potential V1
difference in volts

1 5 0.65 0.85 0.2

2 15 1.95 280 0.85
3 16 2.08 3.00 0.12

RESULT
The value of the actual and measured value of the
potential difference is very small and conversion is perfect.
 PRECAUTIONS

❖ Calculate the resistance accurately

❖ Use the same range conversion voltmeter should be used for
verification
❖ Use correct length shunt wire.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
➢ https://www.learncbse.in/to-determine-
resistance-of-a-galvanometer-by-half-deflection-
method-and-to-find-its-figure-of-merit/
➢ https://byjus.com/physics/to-convert-the-given-
galvanometer-of-known-resistance-and-figure-of
➢ merit-into-a-voltmeter-of-desired-range-and-to-
verify-the-same-experiment/#:~:text=Diagram-
,Procedure,voltmeter%20of%20range%20V%20Vo
lts.
➢ NCERT Physics class 12