Principle construction and working of potentiometer

Potentiometer- An ideal voltmeter that does not change the original potential difference, needs to have infinite resistance. But a voltmeter cannot be designed to have infinite resistance. The potentiometer is one such instrument that does not draw any current from the circuit and still measures the potential difference. so it behaves as an ideal voltmeter.

"A potentiometer is an instrument. This is used to measure the potential difference between two points of an electric circuit and emf of a cell."

Principle- The principle of the potentiometer depends upon the potential gradient along the wire i.e. "When a constant current flows in a wire then the potential drops per unit length of the wire".

Construction- A potentiometer consists of a long wire $AB$ of uniform cross-section, usually, this wire is $4 m$ to $10 m$ long and it is made of the material having high resistivity and low-temperature coefficient such as manganin or constant. Usually, $1m$ long-separate pieces of wire are fixed on a wooden board. These pieces of wires are parallel to each other and joined in series by thick copper strips. A meter scale is used to measure the position of the jockey on the wire and it is fixed parallel to the wire ( As shown in the figure). The ends $A$ and $B$ are connected to a strong battery, a plug key $(K)$, and a rheostat $(Rh)$. The circuit is called a driving or auxiliary circuit that sends a constant current $i$ through the wire $AB$. Thus the potential gradually drops from $A$ to $B$. This potential drop is measured with the help of a jockey and voltmeter. A jockey is used to make point contact on the wire and it slides on the wire along the length of the wire.

Diagram of Potentiometer

Working- When a constant current flow through a wire of uniform cross-section area and composition, the potential drop across any length of the wire is directly proportional to that length.

If the voltmeter is connected between the end $A$ and Jockey $j$, it reads the potential difference $V$ across the length of the wire $AJ$. So according to ohm's law-

$V=iR$

$V=i \rho \frac{l}{A} \qquad(1)$

for a wire $\rho,i,A$ are constants. So

$\frac{i \: l}{A}=K (Constant)$

Hence equation $(1)$ can be written as

$V=Kl$

$V \propto l$

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Metre Bridge OR Slide Wire Bridge

What is Metre Bridge?

It is the simplest practical application of the Wheatstone's bridge that is used to measure an unknown resistance.

Principle: Its working is based on the principle of Wheatstone's Bridge. When the Wheatstone's bridge is balanced

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{R}{S}$

Construction: It consists of usually one-meter long manganin wire of uniform cross-section, stretched along a meter scale fixed over a wooden board and with its two ends soldered to two L-shaped thick copper strips $A$ and $C$. Between these two copper strips, another copper strip is fixed so as to provide two gaps $mn$ and $m_{1}n_{1}$. A resistance box (R.B.) is connected in the gap $mn$ and the unknown resistance $S$ is connected in the gap $m_{1}n_{1}$. A cell of emf $E$, Key $(K)$, and rheostat are connected across $AC$. A movable jockey and a galvanometer are connected across the $BD$, as shown in the figure.

Metre Bridge Or Slide Wire Bridge

Working: In a Metre bridge, First take out the suitable resistance $R$ from the resistance box after that move the jockey along the wire $AC$ till there is not any deflection in the galvanometer. This is the condition of a balanced Wheatstone's bridge. If $P$ and $Q$ are the resistance of the part $AB$ and $BC$ of the wire, then for the balanced condition of the bridge, we have,

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{R}{S} \qquad(1)$

Let us consider:

The total length of the wire $AC=100 \: cm$
Length of the part $AB$ of wire = $l \: cm$
Length of the part $BC$ of wire = $(100-l) \: cm$
Resistance per unit length of the wire = $\sigma$
Resistance of wire of uniform cross-section = $\infty$

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{Resistance \: of \: AB}{Resistance \: of \: BC}$

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{\sigma l }{\sigma \left( 100-l \right) }$

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{ l }{ \left( 100-l \right) } \qquad (2)$

Now substitute the value of equation $(2)$ in equation $(1)$ then we get

$\frac{R}{S}=\frac{ l }{ \left( 100-l \right) } $

$S=\frac{R(100-l)}{l}$

Where

$S$ → Unknown Resistance
$R$ →Standard Resistance

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Wheatstone's Bridge

It is an arrangement of four resistance used to determine one of this resistance quickly and accurately in terms of the remaining three resistance.

Objective: To find the unknown resistance with the help of the remaining three resistance.

Principle of Wheatstone Bridge: The principle of Wheatstone bridge is based on the principle of Kirchhoff's Law.

Construction: A Wheatstone bridge consists of four resistance $P$,$Q$,$R$, and $S$. This resistance is connected to form quadrilateral $ABCD$. A battery of EMF $E$ is connected between point $A$ and $C$ and a sensitive galvanometer is connected between point $B$ and $D$ Which is shown in the figure below.

Diagram of Wheatstone's Bridge

Working: To find the unknown resistance $S$, The resistance $R$ is to be adjusted like there is no deflection in the galvanometer. which means that there is not any flow of current in the arm $BD$. This condition is called "Balanced Wheatstone bridge" i.e

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{R}{S}$

Derivation of Balanced Condition of Wheatstone's Bridge: In accordance with Kirchhoff's first law, the currents through various branches are shown in the figure above.

For Close Loop $ABDA$

$0=P \: I_{1} - R \: I_{2} +G \: I_{g} \qquad(1)$

For Close Loop $CBDC$

$0=Q \left( I_{1} - I_{g} \right) -S \left( I_{2} + I_{g} \right) - G\: I_{g} \qquad(2)$

For Balanced Wheatstone Bridge: $I_{g}=0$

SO from equation $(1)$ and equation $(2)$

$0=P \: I_{1} - R \: I_{2} $

$P \: I_{1} = R \: I_{2} \qquad(3)$

$0=Q I_{1} -S I_{2}$

$Q I_{1} = S I_{2} \qquad(4)$

Now divide the equation $(4)$ and equation $(3)$, then we get

$\frac{P}{Q}=\frac{R}{S}$

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Kirchhoff's laws for an electric circuits

Kirchhoff's laws: Kirchhoff had given two laws for electric circuits i.e.

1. Kirchhoff's Current Law or Junction Law


2. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law or Loop Law

1. Kirchhoff's Current Law or Junction Law: Kirchhoff's current law state that
   
   
   The algebraic sum of all the currents at the junction in any electric circuit is always zero.
   
   

   $\sum_{1}^{n}{i_{n}}=0$

   
   
   Sign Connection: While applying the KCL, the current moving toward the junction is taken as positive while the current moving away from the junction is taken as negative.

   

   The flow of Current in a junction

   So from figure,the current $i_{1}$,$i_{2}$,$i_{5}$ is going toward the junction and the current $i_{3}$,$i_{4}$, So
   
   
   $\sum{i}= i_{1}+i_{2}+(-i_{3})+(-i_{4})+i_{5}$
   
   
   According to KCL $\sum{i}= 0$, Now the above equation can be written as
   
   
   $i_{1}+i_{2}+(-i_{3})+(-i_{4})+i_{5}=0 \qquad$
   
   

   $i_{1}+i_{2}+i_{5}=i_{3}+i_{4}$

   
   
   Thus, the sum of current going towards the junction is equal to the sum of current going away from the junction.
   
   
   In other words, at any junction, neither the charge accumulates nor the charge is removed. So this law represents conservation of charge.




2. Kirchhoff's Voltage Law or Loop Law: Kirchhoff's voltage law state that:
   
   
   The algebraic sum of all the voltage or emf in any closed loop of an electric circuit is always zero.
   
   

   $\sum_{1}^{n}{E_{n}}=0$

   
   
   This means that the algebraic sum of all the emf applied in any closed loop is always equal to the algebraic sum of the product of current and resistance in the closed loop.
   
   

   $\sum{E}=\sum {i.R}$

   
   
   Sign Connection: While applying this law, a product of current and resistance is taken as positive when we traverse in the direction of the conventional current and the emf is taken positively when we traverse from negative to the positive electrode through the electrolyte.

   

   Distribution of Current in a Loop of Circuit

   So from the figure:
   
   
   For Mesh $(1)$
   
   
   $E_{1}-E_{2}=i_{1}R_{1}-i_{2}R_{2} \qquad(1)$
   
   
   For Mesh $(2)$
   
   
   $E_{2}=i_{2}R_{2}+\left( i_{1}+i_{2} \right)R_{3} \qquad(2)$

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Mechanism of Flow of Charge in Metals: Free Electron Gas Theory

Theory of Free Electron Gas Model → According to the electron gas theory

1. The free electrons are continuous in motion inside the metal. The motion of free electrons are random inside the metal.

2. When the free electrons are collisied to each other then the direction of electrons are changed.

3. Mean free Path: The length covered by free electrons, between the two successive collisions is called the "Mean Free Path".

4. Relaxation Time: The time taken between the two successive collisions of free electrons is called the Relaxation time. It is represented by $\tau$.

5. Drift velocity: When a potential is applied across the metal then these electrons do not move own velocity but it move with an average velocity in the opposite direction of the electric field. This average velocity is called the "Drift Velocity". The drift velocity of electrons depends upon the applied potential.

6. Mobility of Electrons: When a potential $V$ is applied across the metal then electrostatic force $F$ acts on the electrons i.e

$F=qE $

$F=NeE \qquad(1)$

Where
$N$ →The number of free electrons inside the metal
$E$ → The electric field due to the applied potential

When this electrostatic force is applied to the electrons then these electrons are accelerated with accelerated $a$ i.e

$F=ma \qquad(2)$

From equation $(1)$ and equation $(2)$ we can write

$ma=N\:e\:E$

$a=\frac{N}{m}eE$

$\frac{v_{d}}{\tau}=\frac{N}{m}eE \qquad \left( \because a=\frac{v_{d}}{\tau} \right)$

$v_{d}=\frac{Ne\tau}{m} E$

$v_{d}=\mu E$

Where $\mu=\frac{Ne\tau}{m}$. It is known as the mobility of electrons.

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Derivation of Ohm's Law

Derivation→

Let us consider,

The length of the conductor = $l$
The cross-section area of the conductor = $A$
The potential difference across the conductor = $V$
The drift velocity of an electron in conductor = $v_{d}$

Now from the equation of the mobility of electron i.e.

$v_{d}= \mu E$

$v_{d}= \left( \frac{e\tau}{m} \right) E \qquad \left(\because \tau = \frac{e\tau}{m} \right)$

$v_{d}= \left( \frac{e\tau}{m} \right) \frac{V}{l}\qquad (1) \qquad \left(\because E = \frac{V}{l} \right)$

Now from the equation of drift velocity and electric current

$i=neAv_{d}$

Now substitute the value of $v_{d}$ from equation $(1)$ to above equation

$i=neA\left( \frac{e\tau}{m} \right) \frac{V}{l}$

$i=\left( \frac{ne^{2}A\tau}{ml} \right)V$

$\frac{V}{i}=\left( \frac{ml}{ne^{2}A\tau} \right)$

$\frac{V}{i}=R$

Where $R = \frac{ml}{ne^{2}A\tau} $ is known as electrical resistance of the conductor.

Thus

$V=iR$

This is Ohm's Law.

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Relation between electric current and drift velocity

Derivation→ Let us consider

The length of the conductor = $l$

The cross-section area of the conductor = $A$

The total number of free electrons inside the conductor = $N$

The current flow in the conductor = $i$

The flow of Electron in Conductor

The Relaxation time between the two successive collisions =$\tau$

According to the law of current density

$J=\frac{i} {A} $

$J=\frac{q} {A \tau} \qquad \left( \because i=\frac{q}{\tau} \right)$

$J=\frac{N \: e }{A \tau} \qquad \left( \because q=Ne \right)$

Now multiply by length of conductor $l$ in above equation. Therefore we get

$J=\frac{N \: e \: l}{A \tau\: l} $

$J=\frac{N \: e \: l}{V \tau\: }\qquad \left(\because V=A.l \right)$

Where $V$ is volume of the conductor.

$J=\frac{n \: e \: l}{ \tau }\qquad \left( \because n=\frac{N}{V} \right)$

Where $n$ is total number of electrons per unit .

$J=n \: e \: v_{d}\qquad \left( \because v_{d}=\frac{l}{\tau}\right)$

Where $v_{d}$ are known as drift velocity of charged particles.

Now substitute the value of current density $J$ from equation $(1)$ to above equation then above equation can be written as

$i=neAv_{d}$

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