PRINCIPLE OF A POTENTIOMETER

Potentiometer consists of a long and uniform metallic wire

AB(usually a4-12 metre
manganin /constantan wire
having high specific resistance
and low temperature coefficient
of resistance screwed to a
wooden board at ends A and B ),
which is connected to a storage
batteryE1(which is also called the driver voltage), through a
rheostat and a key K. E2 is the cell whose emf is to be found. Its
positive terminal is connected to the end A of the wire and the
negative terminal is connected through the galvanometer G to a
jockey X which can be slide along the wire AB and touch at any
point on the wire. As current from the battery flows through the
wire from end A to end B, the electric potential falls continuously.
The fall in potential per unit length of the wire is called potential
gradient along the wire from A to B. If the jockey is placed on the
position X1 where the potential difference between A and X1is
lower than the emf of the cell E2, current flows from the battery
E1 in the direction AX1E2 and from the cell in AE2X1. But the pd
between A and X1is lower than the emf of the cell, the current
from the cell dominates and the galvanometer deflects on one
side.
But if the jockey is placed on the position X2 where the potential
difference between A and X2is lower than the emf of the cell E2,
the current from the battery will predominate and the
galvanometer will deflect on the opposite side. There is also a
point on the wire where there will be no deflection on the
galvanometer. Such a point the potential gradient is constant
throughout the wire the emf could be calculated as per the
equation
E=Kl

Where;E is emf, k is potential gradient and I is distance between A

and X(which is measured using the ruler kept along AB) The
potential gradient could be found out by using
standard cell of known( like Weston cadmium
cell(emf=1.0184volt)) emf by the same procedure.

Sensitivity of a potentiometer

The sensitivity of a potentiometer implies what the small voltage

difference can be measured by the potentiometer .For the same
driver voltage if we increase the length of the potentiometer
resistance the length of the resistance per unit voltage gets
increased. Hence the sensitivity of the potentiometer gets
increased. So we can say sensitivity of a potentiometer is directly
proportional to the length of the resistance. Again if we reduce
the driver voltage for a fixed length of potentiometer resistance,
then also voltage per unit length of the resistance gets decreased.
Hence again the sensitivity of the potentiometer gets increased.
So the sensitivity of the potentiometer is inversely proportional to
the driver voltage
EXPERIMENT

Aim:

To compare the emf of two cells

Apparatus
 Potentiometer
 Daniel cell
 Leclanche cell
 low resistance Rheostat
 Ammeter
 Voltmeter
 Galvanometer
 A one-way key
 A two-way key
 Set square
 Jockey
 Resistance Box
 Connecting wire
 Piece of sandpaper
 Battery

Theory

Using a voltmeter it is possible to measure only the potential

difference between the two
terminals of a cell, but using a
potentiometer we can determine
the value of emf of a given cell.
where E1 and E2 are EMFs of two cells, l1 and l2 are the balancing
lengths when E1 and E2 are connected to the circuit respectively
and k is the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire.

E1 /E2 = k l1 /k l2 = l1 /l2

Procedure:

I. Connect the circuit as shown in the figure.

II. With the help of sandpaper, remove the insulation from
the ends of connecting copper wire.
III. Measure the EMF (E) of the battery and the EMFs (E1 and
E2) of the cell and see if E1 > E and E2 > E.
IV. Connect the positive pole of the battery to the zero end
(P) of the potentiometer and the negative pole through
the one-way key, low resistance rheostat and the
ammeter to the other end of the potentiometer (Q).
V. Connect the positive poles of the cells to the terminal at
the zero end (P) and the negative poles to the terminals a
and b of the two way key.
VI. Connect the common terminal c of the two-way key
through a galvanometer (G) and a resistance box to the
jockey J.
VII. Take maximum current from the battery by making the
rheostat resistance zero.
VIII. Insert the plug in the one-way key through the resistance
box and the galvanometer to the jockey J.
IX. Take out a 2000 Ω plug from the resistance box.
X. Note down the direction of the deflection in the
galvanometer by pressing the jockey at zero end.
XI. Now, press the jockey at the other end of the
potentiometer wire. If the deflection is in the opposite
direction to that in the first case, the connections are
correct
XII. Push the jockey smoothly over the potentiometer up to a
point where the galvanometer shows no deflection.
XIII. Put the 2000 Ω plug back to the resistance box and obtain
the null point position accurately with the help of the set
square.
XIV. Note the length l1 of the wire for the cell E1.
XV. Note the current as indicated by the ammeter.
XVI. Disconnect the cell E1 from the plug.
XVII. Connect E2 by inserting the plug into the gap of the two-
way key.
XVIII. Take out a 2000 ohms plug from the resistance box and
slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain
no deflection position.
XIX. Put 2000 ohms plug back in the RB and obtain null for E2.
XX. Note the length L2 of wire in this position for the cell E2.
XXI. By increasing the current and adjusting the rheostat to
get five sets of observations.
PRECAUTIONS

I. The positive poles of all the cells should be

connected to the same point A.
II. The emf of the storage cell B should be higher than
the emf of each of the cells E1and E2 otherwise the
null point will not be obtained.
III. The diameter of the wire should be uniform
throughout, otherwise the potential gradient will
not be the same at all places.
IV. The current should not be allowed to flow in the
wire for a long time otherwise the wire will become
hot and due to increase in resistance of the wire the
potential gradient will change.
V. After taking the observations with one cell, the
other cell should be taken quickly in the circuit. The
current in the wire should remain unchanged
throughout.

VI. The jockey should not be rubbed on the wire,

otherwise the wire will not remain uniform in the
cross section throughout.
APPLICATION
1. Voltage Measurement (as a voltmeter)

 A potentiometer can be used to measure an unknown

voltage in a circuit. By adjusting the potentiometer, the
voltage across it can be varied until it matches the unknown
voltage, allowing for precise measurement.

2. Adjusting Signal Levels

 In audio equipment, potentiometers are used as volume

controls. By turning the knob, you adjust the resistance,
which in turn changes the level of the audio signal sent to
the speakers, controlling the volume.
 Similarly, potentiometers are often used in brightness and
contrast controls in television sets or monitors.

3. Position Sensing (as a position sensor)

 Potentiometers are used in joysticks, robotics, and servo

motors to detect the position of a movable part. In such
systems, the position of the mechanical element changes
the resistance, which is then translated into position data.

4. Voltage Divider Circuits

 Potentiometers are often employed as voltage dividers in

various circuits. By adjusting the potentiometer, the output
voltage can be controlled over a range, providing a variable
output voltage based on the resistance.

5. Calibration and Tuning

  Potentiometers are commonly used in the calibration of
electronic devices or circuits. For example, they are used in
oscillators and amplifiers to fine-tune the performance of
these devices.
 In radio receivers or transmitters, potentiometers adjust
tuning circuits to select frequencies.

6. Temperature Sensing (Thermistors)

 In temperature sensing applications, a potentiometer can be

paired with a thermistor to measure changes in
temperature. As the temperature changes, the resistance
varies, and the potentiometer helps to translate this into an
understandable signal.

7. Motor Speed Control

 Potentiometers are often used to control the speed of DC

motors in various applications such as electric fans, toys, and
power tools. By adjusting the potentiometer, the resistance
changes, which alters the current and consequently the
speed of the motor.

8. Tuning in Communication Systems

 Potentiometers are frequently used in radio tuning circuits.

They adjust the frequency of an oscillator or a filter circuit in
radios or televisions to tune into a specific frequency or
station.

9. Instruments and Meters

 Potentiometers are used in various instruments like

multimeters, oscilloscopes, and signal generators to
calibrate or adjust measurement ranges and other settings.
10. Lighting Control

 In lighting systems, potentiometers are used as dimmers to

control the brightness of lights. By adjusting the
potentiometer, the amount of current flowing through the
lamp is varied, thus dimming or brightening the light output.

11. Feedback Systems

 In automatic control systems, potentiometers can provide

feedback to control the position of a system. For example, in
robotic arms, potentiometers might be used to measure the
angle of joints and provide input to the control system for
precise movement.

12. Current Limiting

 Potentiometers can be used in circuits as current limiters,

controlling the flow of current in a sensitive or delicate part
of the circuit to protect components from over current
conditions.

13. Sensor Calibration

 In sensor applications, potentiometers can be used to

calibrate the output of sensors (e.g., pressure sensors,
temperature sensors, etc.) to ensure that they provide
accurate readings.

14. In Audio/Visual Equipment

 Potentiometers are used in equipment like guitar amplifiers,

sound mixers, and audio processing units to control various
parameters like gain, treble, bass, and balance.
Conclusion:
In the comparison of the electromotive forces (emf) of two cells
using a potentiometer, the device allows for precise
measurement of voltage differences without drawing any current
from the cells, thus avoiding any potential errors caused by
internal resistance. The potentiometer works by creating a known
reference voltage and adjusting the position of the sliding contact
to balance the voltage across the cells being compared. When the
galvanometer shows zero current, it indicates that the potential
difference across the cells is equal to the reference voltage, thus
providing a direct comparison of the emf values.

This method offers significant advantages in accuracy, as it

eliminates the need for current flow, ensuring that the readings
reflect only the intrinsic voltage of each cell. Therefore, the
potentiometer is an excellent tool for comparing the emfs of two
cells, providing highly accurate and reliable results, especially
when precision is crucial in experiments or applications requiring
exact voltage measurements.