What is the role of the galvanometer in a potentiometer circuit?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
What is the role of the galvanometer in a potentiometer circuit?
To measure current
To measure resistance
To indicate the balance point
To provide a reference voltage
The galvanometer indicates the balance point in a potentiometer circuit, showing when the potential difference across the wire equals the unknown voltage.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: What is the role of the galvanometer in a potentiometer circuit?
Solution: The galvanometer indicates the balance point in a potentiometer circuit, showing when the potential difference across the wire equals the unknown voltage.
Steps: 5
Step 1: Understand that a potentiometer is used to measure voltage.
Step 2: Know that a galvanometer is a device that detects small electric currents.
Step 3: In a potentiometer circuit, the galvanometer is connected to show when there is no current flowing through it.
Step 4: This 'no current' condition means that the voltage across the wire is equal to the unknown voltage being measured.
Step 5: When the galvanometer shows zero, it indicates the balance point, confirming the measurement.