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Electric Current

Good evening sir.
Please explain my doubt clarity.
Please explain internal resistance of cell by using potentiometer principle.

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Profile image of raju nagula
7 Years agoGrade
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1 Answer

Profile image of Arun
7 Years ago

Potentiometer is a device used to measure the internal resistance of a cell, to compare the e.m.f. of two cells and potential difference across a resistor. It consists of a long wire of uniform cross sectional area and of 10 m in length. The material of wire should have a high resistivity and low temperature coefficient.  The wires are stretched parallel to each other on a wooden board. The wires are joined in series by using thick copper strips. A metre scale is also attached on the wooden board.

It works on the principle that when a constant current flows through a wire of uniform cross sectional area, potential difference between its two points is directly proportional to the length of the wire between the two points.