In a potentiometer setup, what is the effect of increasing the length of the wire on the accuracy of voltage measurement?

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Q: In a potentiometer setup, what is the effect of increasing the length of the wire on the accuracy of voltage measurement?

Solution: Increasing the length of the wire increases the accuracy of voltage measurement due to a smaller potential gradient.

Steps: 7

Step 1: Understand that a potentiometer is used to measure voltage accurately.
Step 2: Know that the wire in the potentiometer has a certain length.
Step 3: Realize that the potential gradient is the change in voltage per unit length of the wire.
Step 4: When you increase the length of the wire, the same voltage drop is spread over a longer distance.
Step 5: A longer wire means a smaller potential gradient (less voltage change per unit length).
Step 6: A smaller potential gradient leads to more precise measurements because small changes in voltage can be detected more easily.
Step 7: Therefore, increasing the length of the wire improves the accuracy of voltage measurement.