devarshi-dt-logo

Question:

A potentiometer wire AB having length L and resistance 12r is joined to a cell D of emf ε and internal resistance r. A cell C having emf ε/2 and internal resistance 3r is connected. The length AJ at which the galvanometer as shown in fig. shows no deflection is?

1124L

1324L

512L

1112L

Solution:

Let the potential gradient along the potentiometer wire AB be k.
Then, k = ε/(L+r/R) * R/L = εR/(L(R+r)) where R = 12r
The potential difference across AJ is k * AJ = k * x where x is the length AJ.
The potential difference across the cell C is ε/2. Since there is no deflection, the potential difference across AJ must be equal to the emf of cell C.
Therefore, kx = ε/2
Substituting the value of k, we have:
(εR/(L(R+r))) * x = ε/2
(12rε)/(L(12r+r)) * x = ε/2
(12r)/(13L) * x = 1/2
x = (13L)/(24)
x = 13/24L
Therefore, the length AJ at which the galvanometer shows no deflection is 13/24L.