In a potentiometer experiment, if the length of the wire is doubled, what happens to the potential gradient?

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Q: In a potentiometer experiment, if the length of the wire is doubled, what happens to the potential gradient?

Solution: The potential gradient is inversely proportional to the length of the wire; doubling the length halves the potential gradient.

Steps: 6

Step 1: Understand what a potentiometer does. It measures the potential difference (voltage) across a wire.
Step 2: Learn about potential gradient. The potential gradient is the change in voltage per unit length of the wire.
Step 3: Know the relationship between length and potential gradient. The potential gradient is inversely proportional to the length of the wire.
Step 4: If you double the length of the wire, you are increasing the distance over which the voltage is measured.
Step 5: Since the potential gradient is inversely proportional to the length, doubling the length means the potential gradient will decrease.
Step 6: Specifically, if the length is doubled, the potential gradient is halved.