Demonstrations

Potentiometer

Image #2

Code Number :	5F20.30
Disclaimer:	Reprinted by permission of Dick Berg, University of Maryland, for use on this website. The demonstrations contained and referenced herein are listed for the purposes of cataloging and describing physics demonstrations which should be conducted only under the direction of a trained instructional support professional or physicist. These demonstrations are not presented for the purpose of being conducted by persons unconnected to this Facility and/or persons not consulting with or being supervised by the recognized instructional support professional or physicist and his/her staff. The University is responsible only for those demonstrations carried out using its own equipment using established safety and scheduling policies, and bears no responsibility for those choosing to use this source material for their own purposes. All demonstrations described and contained herein are public domain, and can also be found in reference materials in libraries, bookstores, and electronic sources. Further information regarding legal liability in use of demonstrations and labs will be found on the web site Injuries in School/College Laboratories in USA. The University of Iowa Disclaimers: University of Iowa Disclaimer All Rights Reserved..
Condition :	Excellent
Principle :	Resistance and Voltage Changes
Area of Study :	Electricity & Magnetism
Equipment :	Two 'D' Cell Batteries, Uniform Slide Wire, Galvanometer, Special Resistor for Galvanometer.
Procedure :	Arrange as illustrated. Insert the special resistor into the binding posts on the galvanometer. You will now have full scale deflection when using 'D' cell batteries. Push the key switch until it touches the slide wire and observe the deflection. Reposition until zero deflection is observed. If used with a standard cell the value of the other cell may be calculated. The special resistor is always kept with the potentiometer slide wire board.

References

James N. Boyd, "Parallel Circuits and Probability", TPT, Vol. 26, # 2, Feb., 1988, p. 106.

Fred B. Otto, "The Slide-Wire Potentiometer - A New Approach", TPT, Vol. 23, # 4, Apr. 1985, p. 232.

Robert W. Bird, "A Low Reference Voltage", TPT, Vol. 22, # 8, Nov. 1984, p. 539.

Thomas B. Greenslade, Jr., "Reversible Meter Bridge", AJP, Vol. 73, # 5, May 2005, p. 398.

William C. Smith, "Inexpensive Student Potentiometer", AJP, 33, (8), Aug. 1965, p. 603.

Eg - 7: Freier and Anderson, A Demonstration Handbook for Physics.

E-161: Richard Manliffe Sutton, Demonstration Experiments in Physics.

Simon Quellem Field, "More About Magnets", Gonzo Gizmos, p. 11-14.

"Potentiometer," The New Illustrated Science and Invention Encyclopedia, p. 2031

Walter C. Michels, Electrical Measurements and Their Applications, p. 56-64.

"Ohm's Law in Simple Circuits", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1962.

"Ohm's Law", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1962.

"The CENCO Potentiometer: Calibration of Ammeter and Voltmeter", Selective Experiments in Physics, CENCO, 1962.

Mail Questions and Comments to: Dale Stille