# Physics Questions and Answers – Current Electricity – Potentiometer

«
»

This set of Physics Multiple Choice Questions & Answers (MCQs) focuses on “Current Electricity – Potentiometer”.

1. A potentiometer wire of length 100 cm has a resistance of 30 ohms. It is connected in series with a resistance of 20 ohms and accumulator of emf 8V having negligible internal resistance. A source of 1.2V is balanced against a length L of the potentiometer wire. What is the value of L?
a) 20
b) 25
c) 30
d) 35

Explanation: The current passing through the potentiometer wire:
I = $$\frac {8}{(30 + 20)} = \frac {8}{50}$$ = 0.16A
The potential difference across the potentiometer wire:
V = current × resistance = 0.16 × 30 = 4.8V
Length of the wire = 100 cm
k = $$\frac {V}{l} = \frac {4.8}{100}$$ = 0.048
The emf 1.2V is balanced against the length L of the wire, i.e. 1.2 = kL
Length = $$\frac {1.2}{k} = \frac {1.2}{0.048}$$ = 25 cm
Therefore, the length L is 25 cm.

2. A potentiometer using cell C of emf 5V and internal resistance 0.2 ohms is connected to a wire AB in the figure below. A standard cell C0 of a constant emf of 1.10 V gives a balance point at 55 cm of the wire. When C0 is replaced by a cell of emf E, the balance point is obtained at 85 cm. What is the value of E?

a) 1.4 V
b) 1.5 V
c) 1.7 V
d) 1.9 V

Explanation: l1 = 55 cm; I2 = 85
$$\frac {E}{C_0} = \frac {l_2}{l_1}$$ → E = C0 × $$\frac {l_2}{l_1}$$
E = 1.10 × $$\frac {85}{55}$$ = 1.7 V
Therefore, the value of E is 1.7 V.

3. A potentiometer wire of length 20 m has a resistance of 50 ohms. It is connected in series with a resistance box and a 5 V storage cell. If the potential gradient along the wire is 0.5 mV/cm, what is the resistance unplugged in the box?
a) 450 ohms
b) 400 ohms
c) 405 ohms
d) 500 ohms

Explanation: Potential gradient along the potentiometer wire = $$\frac {potential \, difference \, along \, wire}{length \, of \, wire}$$.
0.5 × 10-3 = I × $$\frac {50}{1000}$$
I = 0.5 × 10-3 × $$\frac {1000}{50}$$
I = $$\frac {1}{100}$$
So, $$\frac {5}{(50 + R)} = \frac {1}{100}$$
R + 50 = 500
R = 450 ohms
Therefore, the resistance unplugged in the box is 450 ohms.

4. In a potentiometer of 5 wires, the balance point is obtained on the 2nd wire. To shift the balance point to the 4th, we should decrease the current of the main circuit.
a) True
b) False

Explanation: If we have to shift the balance point of a potentiometer to a higher length, the potential gradient of the wire is to be decreased. This can also be achieved by increasing the resistance in series with the potentiometer wire, and this is possible by decreasing the current of the main circuit. So, this is a true statement.

5. The balancing length of a potentiometer is at 120 cm. On shunting the cell with a resistance of 4 ohms, the balancing point shifts to a length of 60 cm. Then, find the internal resistance of the cell.
a) 2 ohms
b) 5 ohms
c) 3 ohms
d) 4 ohms

Explanation: l1 = 120 cm; l2 = 60 cm; R = 4 ohms
Internal resistance (r) = $$[ \frac {(l2 – l1)}{I_2} ]$$ × R
= $$[\frac {(120 – 60)}{60} ]$$ × 4
= $$\frac {60}{60}$$ × 4
= 4 ohms
Therefore, the internal resistance is 4 ohms.
Participate in Physics - Class 12 Certification Contest of the Month Now!

6. A potentiometer has uniform potential gradient. The specific resistance of the material of the potentiometer wire is 10-9Ωm and the current passing through it is 0.5A and the cross sectional area of the wire is 10-8m2. Calculate the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire.
a) 0.5 × 10-9 V/m
b) 0.5 × 10-8 V/m
c) 0.5 × 10-1 V/m
d) 0.5 × 10-15 V/m

Explanation: Resistance of a wire = $$\frac {Ꝭl}{A}$$, where Ꝭ is the specific resistance of the material of the wire.
Potential gradient = $$\frac {V}{l} \rightarrow \frac {IR}{l}$$ → $$\frac {I(\frac {Ꝭl}{A})}{l}$$
= $$\frac {Ꝭl}{A}$$
= 0.5 × $$\frac {10^{-9}}{10^{-8}}$$
= 0.5 × 10-1 V/m
Therefore, the potential gradient is equal to 0.5 × 10-1 V/m.

7. Pick out the application of potentiometer from the following.
a) It measures current
b) It measures internal resistance
c) It measures external resistance
d) It is used to compare two currents

Explanation: Potentiometer is an electric instrument used to measure internal resistance, electromotive force (emf), and it is also used for comparing the emfs of different cells. Potentiometer can be used as a variable resistor as well.

Sanfoundry Global Education & Learning Series – Physics – Class 12.

To practice all areas of Physics, here is complete set of 1000+ Multiple Choice Questions and Answers.