EXPERIMENT 1

To determine resistance per cm ofa given wire by plotting a

(www. versus current.
graph ofpotential difference

APPARATUS

A resistancewire, a voltmeter (0-3) V and an ammeter (0-3) A of appropriate range, a battery

(battery eliminator), a rheostat, a metrescale, one-way key, connecting wires and a piece of sand paper.
THEORY

According to the Ohm's law, the current flowing through a conductor is directly proportional
to the potential difference across its ends, provided the physical conditions (temperature, dimensions,

pressure, etc.) of the conductor remain the same. If I be the current flowing through a conductor and
Vbe the potential difference across its ends, then according to Ohm's Law,
I V

or Vo«I or V=RI
where, R is the constant of proportionality. It is known as resistance of the conductor.

or
R .Working formula

R depends upon the nature of material, temperature and dimensions of the conductor.
In Sl units, the potential difference V is measured in volt and the currentI in ampere, the

resistance R is measured in ohm.

(1) To establish the current-voltage relationship, it is to be shown that the ratio V/I remains
constant for a given resistance. Therefore, a graph between the potential difference (V)
and the current () must be a straight line.

(2) The constant ratio gives unknown value of resistance,

CIRCUTT DIAGRAM
Battery
HHE Rheostat

A
Unknown resistance
wire
w.

Fig. Circuit diagram.

PROCEDURE
1. Arrange the apparatus in the same manner as given in the arrangement diagram.
2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper to remove the insulations, if any.
3. Make neat, clean and tight connections according to the circuit diagram. While making
connections ensure that +ve marked terminals of voltmeter and ammeter are joined towards
the +ve terminal of the battery.
4. Determine the least count of voltmeter and ammeter, and also note the zero error, if any.
5. Insert the key K, slide the rheostat contact and see that ammeter and voltmeter are working
properly.
 Compnehemsve Practical Physics-XI

of the rheostat such that a measurable current passes through

6 Adjust the sliding contact
resistance coil or the resistance wire.
V from voltmeter and current I from ammeter
the
Note down the value of potential difference
7. voltmeter show full divisions
contact slightly so
that both ammeter and
8. Shift the rheostat
fraction.
readings and not in
voltmeter and ammeter.

9 Record the readings of the

follow these steps:
Note. In case of battery eliminator,
eliminator and put the constant point in rheostat at fixed position.
Turn the knob at 2 V in battery
reading in voltmeter and
ammeter.
Now record the
voltage, say 4, 6, 8, 10 and
the rheostat, turn the knob of battery to different
Without disturbing
and ammeter.
12 volts and record corresponding readings in voltmeter
observations.
10.Take at least five sets of independent where it leaves the terminals, stretch it and find its
11. Cut the resistance wire at the points

length by the metre scale.

12. Record your observations.

Rheostat
One-way
key

Battery eliminator
or Batteryy

Resistance wire

ww
leluy
A

wuunliy
Ammeteer

Voltmeteer
Fig. Arrangement diagram.
 49
OBSERVATIONS

1. Length
Length of the resistance wire l = .
2. Range
Range of the given ammeter =
Range of the given voltmeter
3. Least count

Least count of ammeter =

Least count of voltmeter =
4. Zero error

Zero error in ammeter, e, ..

Zero error in voltmeter, e, =.
5. Zero correction

Zero correction for ammeter, c, - e, =

Zero correctionfor voltmeter, c=-e, =

6. Table for Ammeter and Voltmeter Readings

Ammeter Reading I (A) Voltmeter Reading V (V

Serial No. of R
Observed Corrected Observed Corrected
Obs. (Ohm)
V V V,+C2
I=,+
(2b) (3a) (3b) (4)
(1) (2a)
1.
***

2.
*****

3. **
*****

*****

5.
ohms.
ean value of resistance, R = .....

CALCULATIONS
observations.
ratio of V and I for each set of
1. Find the currentI (column 26), taking
2. Plot a graph between potential
difference V(column 3b) and
to be a straight line.
Y-axis. The graph
comes

Valong X-axis and I along

be calculated.
resistance c a n
From the graph, the
AB AI .(1)
In AABC tan CB AV
..(2)
cot
AV
or A
 -
seledue u (D ueunO i
Measurement of Resistance 51

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The instrument screws may be loose.
2. Thick connecting wires may not be available.
3. Rheostat may have high resistance.

EXPERIMENT 2
T o find resistance of a given wire using metre bridge and hence determine the resistivity
www
(specific resistance) of its material.

APPARATUS
A metre bridge (slide wire bridge), a Leclanche cell (Battery eliminator), a galvanometer, a
resistance box, a jockey, a one way key, a resistance wire, a screw gauge, a metre scale, a set square,

connecting wires anda piece of sand paper.

THEORY
() The unknown resistance X is given by,

X= (100-R
where R is known resistance placed in the left gap and unknown resistance X in the right gap
of metre bridge. I cm is the length of metre bridge wire from zero end upto balance point.

i) Specific resistance (p) of the material of the given wire is given by,

XTD
P 4L
and D is the diameter of the given wire.
where, L is the length

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
Known resistance Unknown resistance
X
R w

R.B. L
Resistance
box B

(G)Galvanometer
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
ullnluluuluululuulualaululuuluuluuluuluuluuluuluu

D
A
C
(100-/)
E
K

Leclanche cell (Battery eliminator)

Circuit diagram-Metre bridge.
Fig.
52
PROCEDURE

For Resistance
as shown in the diagram.
1. Arrange the apparatus
resistance is to be determined in the right gap between
resistance wire whose
2. Connect the loop.
wire forms a
that no part of the
and B. Take care
A and B.
of low in the left hand gap between
resistance box range
3. Connect
shown in the circuit diagram.
Make all the other connections as
4. the key K.
2 ohms) from the resistance box, plug
5. Take out some
resistance (say
of the bridge wire.
first at left end and then at right end
6 Touch the jockey gently If the galvanometer shows deflections in opposite
7. Note the deflections in the galvanometer. then there is some
deflection is one side only,
the connections are correct. If the
directions, the fault.
of your teacher and rectify
fault in the circuit. Check or take help
the wire from left to right till galvanometer gives
zero
8. Move (slide) the jockey gently along
the wire is null point D.
deflection. The point where the jockey is touching
is no deflection in the
9. Choose an appropriate value of R
from the resistance box such that there
45 to 55 cm).
in the middle of the wire (i.e., between
galvanometer when the jockey is nearly
AD 1.
of a set square) to know balancing length,
=

10. Note position of point D (with the help

in steps.
11. Take at least four sets of observations
in the same way by changing the value ofR

12. Record your observations.

Cell or battery
One-way key
eliminator
Battery eliminator or
Leclanche cell-

Resistance box
? Unknown
VVWire
L-

(100-1)-
0 10 20 /30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
uluuhulhulunkíuluuluulunhuluuluuhuuluuluulunluuhuulunluul
A
Scale
C
Bridge wire

wulnhul

Galvanometer
Fig, Arrangemant diagram
Medsor

For Specific Resistance

stretch it and find its length
13. Cut the
resistance wire at the points where it leaves the terminals,
metre scale.
by using a mutually perpendicular
directions
the diameter of the wire at least at four places, in two
14. Measure
at help of screw gauge.
each place with the
in tables.
15. Record your observations as given

OBSERVATIONS

Length of given wire, L

= . . . . cm.
1.
2. Table for
unknown resistance (X)
Unknown
Serial No. of Resistance from the Length AB 1 = Length resistance
resistance box (cm) BC (100-1)
Obs. X=R (100-1)
R (cm)
1
(ohm) (ohm)

(4) (5)
(1) (2) (3)
1.

2
3.
4. ****

3. Least count of the screw gauge

Pitch of screw gauge = . . . mm

scale
Total no. of divisions on the circular
Pitch
L . C . of the given screw gauge the circular scale
No. of divisions on

Zero error, e = .... mm

Zero correction, C = ~e =
... mm

4. Table for diameter (D) of the wire

Circular Scale Reading Observed diameter Corrected
Serial Linear Scale
D N+n xL.C. diameter
No. Reading N No. ofcircular Value
of Obs. mm) scale division on nx (L.C.) (mm) D=D,+C
mm)
reference line (n) (mm)
(3a) (3h) (4) (5)
(1) (2)
1.
D, (a) = D, (a) = ..

(a)
D, (6)- D, (b) =,
(b) D,(a) =
2. (a) D,(a)
(b)
D, (6) =
D, (6) =
.

3. (a)
D, (a) =
D,(a)=
D, (b) = D, (6) =.
(b)
4. (a) D,(a) D, (a) =
.

(b)
D,(b) -
D,(b) =.
CALCULATIONS

1. Calculation for X
Table 1.
(a) From position of D, find I cm and write in column 3 of
(b) Find length (100-) cm and write in column 4.
)Calculate X and write in column 5.

Mean X-a tX +X3 +X, ohmn

4
2. Calculation forD
D,(a)+ D,(b) +...+D (a) + D, (6)
Mean corrected diameter
8
. Imin = . . . . CIn

3. Calculation for Specific Resistance

Specific resistance of the material of the given wire,
TD
p X.
4L
. . . ohmn-cm

ohm-m

Standard value of the specific resistance of the material of the given wire (if given),
Po ohm-m

Percentage error P-Pox 100

Po
%.

RESULT
1. The value of unknown resistance, X =
..
2. The specifie resistance of the material of the given wire = .
3. Percentage error = .

PRECAUTIONS
1. The connections
shouldbe neat, clean and tight.
2. All the plugs in the resistance box should be tight.
3. Move the jockey gently over the bridge wire and do not rub it.
4 The plug in key K should be inserted only when the observations are to be taken.

Null point should be brought between 45 and 55 cm. cm

6. Set should be used to note null
square point to avoid error of parallax.
7. At one place, diameter of wire should be measured in two
mutually perpendicular directionb
8. The wire should not make a
loop.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The instrument screws may be loose.
2. The plugs may not be clean.
3. The wire may not have uniform thickness.
4. The screw gauge may have faults like back lash error and wrong pitch.
Measurement of Resistance 55

EXPERIMENT 3
www.To verify the laws of combination (series) ofresistances using a metre bridge.

APPARATUS

A metre bridge, a Leclanche cell (battery eliminator), a galvanometer, a resistance box, a jockey,
two resistance wires or two resistance coils known resistances, a set square, sand paper and connecting
wires.

THEORY

() The resistance (r) of a resistance wire or coil is given by, T = (100-

1
xR
where Ris the resistance from the resistance box in the left gap and lis the length of the metre
bridge wire from zero end upto balance point.
) When two resistances r, and r, are connected in series, then their combined resistance,

R-,+a
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

() In series

I B

(100-1)
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
LluululuuhuluLululunluluulunyluululuululuuluulunlu
D
A C

Fig. Series combination of resistances.

i) Resistances in series
2
w
Fig. Resistances in series.
56
PROCEDURE

1. Mark the two

resistance coils as r, and r,
1. (If r, and r, are not known.)
way as in Experiment
findr, and r, proceed
same
2. To of metre bridgo
coils r, and r, in series as
shown in figure in
the right gap
3. Connect the two
least three sets of
observations.
combination. Take at
this
find the resistance of
observations as follows.
4. Record your

OBSERVATIONS

unknown resistance (X)

Table for length (1) and
Resistance Mean
Resistance Length Length
Resistance Serial resistance
DC=100-1
AD 1
coil No. of from the
(cm)
(100-1xR (ohm)
Obs. resistance (cm)
box
R(ohm) (6) (7)
(2) (3) (4) (5)
(1)
1.

ronly 2
3.

1
T only 2.

. R .
r and r, in 2.
series
3

CALCULATIONS

and r, in series.
1. Calculation for r, only, r, only, r,
Same as in Experiment 1.
for verification of laws
Calculation
2.
Experimental value of R, =..
Theoretical value of R, +
Difference (if any)

RESULT
theoretical values of R, are same. e
error, experimental and
Within limits of experimental
series is verified.
law of resistances in

PRECAUTIONS

1.
Same as given in Experiment
M e a s u i e

EXPERIMENT 4

combination (parallel) ofresistances using a

tre bridge.
www.Toverify
the laws of la

A P P A R A T U S

resistance box, a joCkey»

Leclanche cell (battery eliminator), a galvanometer, a
Ametre bridge,
a
set square, sand paper and connecting8
wires or two resistance coils known resistances, a

trw
unor
resistance

wires.

THEORY

resistance wire or coil is given by, r =

(100-)R
() The resistance (r) of a of the metre
resistance box in the left gap
and l is the length
resistance from the
where R is the
end up to balance point.
bridge wire from zero resistance,
are connected in parallel,
then their combined
When r, and r,
(ii)
R = 1

R, 2
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

) In parallel
K

WW
ww 2
B

(100-
70 80 90 100
20 30 40 50 60
uluunhuiluuluunhuululuuluulluuluuluuluulunluuhuluunluu
o 10
D C
A

combination of resistances.
Fig. Parallel

i) Resistances in parallel

Resistances in parallel.
Fig.
 Comprehensiue Practical Physic:
58 ICS
PROCEDURE
1. Mark the two resistance coils as r, and r
and r, are not known.)
proceed same way as in Experiment (If r,
1.
2. To find r, and r,
as shown in figure in the right gap
of metre hria
3. Connect the two coils r, and r, in parallel ridg
combination. Take at least three sets of observations.
and find the of this
resistance

4. Record your observations.

OBSERVATIONS

Table for length (1) and unknown resistance (X)

Serial Resistance Length Length Resistance Mean

Resistance
AD 1 DC 100-1 resistanc=
coil No. of
Observatino
from the
resistance (cm) (cm) r (100-1xR
xR (ohm)
box

R(ohm)
(5) (6) (7)
(1) (2) (3) (4)
1.

r, only 2
3.

1.

2
ronly
2
3.

1.

randr, in
R,
2.
parallel
3.

CALCULATIONS

Calculation for verification of laws

Experimental value of R,
=

Theoretical value of 12
R - _ 2
t2
Measurement of Resistance 59

RESULTT

and theoretical values of R. are same. Hence,

Within limits of experimental error, experimental
is verified.
law of resistances in parallel

PRECAUTIONS

Same as in Experiment 1.

VIVAVOCE