NSN MEMORIAL

SCHOOL

TO COMPARE THE EMF OF TWO GIVEN

PRIMARY CELLS (DANIEL AND LECLANCHE
CELLS) USING A POTENTIOMETER

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

NAME: MADHUKESAVAN M
CLASS AND SECTION: XII A
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I extend my hearty thanks to Mrs. Tamilselvi K,

my Physics mentor, who guided me to the
successful completion of this dissertation. I take
this opportunity to thank my teacher for her
valuable guidance, constant encouragement,
constructive feedback, and immense motivation,
which has sustained my efforts at all stages of this
project.

Name of the Student:

Register Number:

Signature
 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page
S.NO TITLE no
1) Acknowledgement 3

2) Objective 4

3) Introduction 5

4) About the topic 6

5) Experiment 7

6) Observation 8

7) Applications 9

8) Conclusion 10

9) Bibliography 11
 OBJECTIVE
To compare the emf of two given primary cells
(Daniel and Leclanche cells) using a potentiometer
 INTRODUCTION
Electromotive Force (EMF):EMF is the energy provided
by a cell or battery per coulomb of charge. It is the
potential difference between the two terminals of a cell
when no current is drawn from the cell.

Daniel Cell:
Consists of zinc and copper electrodes immersed in
solutions of their respective salts.
Zinc acts as the anode, and copper as the cathode.
The cell provides a stable EMF and is commonly used
in laboratories.

Leclanché Cell:
Comprises a zinc anode and a manganese dioxide
(MnO2) cathode.
It is the basis for the widely used dry cell.
Provides a slightly higher EMF compared to the Daniel
cell.

Potentiometer:
A potentiometer is a device used for measuring the
EMF of a cell without drawing any current from it,
thus providing an accurate measurement.
 ABOUT THE TOPIC
The principle of the potentiometer is based on the idea
that the potential drop (voltage) across a uniform wire is
directly proportional to its length, provided the wire
carries a constant current. This forms the foundation for
using the potentiometer to measure an unknown
electromotive force (EMF) by comparing it with a known
reference EMF.

Key Principle:
The potentiometer operates on the null deflection
method, ensuring that no current is drawn from the cell
whose EMF is being measured. When a constant current
flows through a long, uniform wire, the potential
difference between any two points along the wire is
directly proportional to the length between those points.
This relationship is mathematically expressed as:
V∝L
Here, V is the potential difference across the wire, and L is
the corresponding length of the wire.
 ABOUT THE TOPIC
Balance Point:
In practice, the EMF of a standard cell E(std) is first
balanced against a certain length of the potentiometer
wire L(std).
Then, the unknown EMF(unk) is balanced at a different
length L(unk). At the balance point (or null point), the
potential drop across the wire is equal to the EMF of the
cell, and no current flows through the galvanometer.

The ratio of the two EMFs is proportional to the ratio of

their corresponding balance lengths:

Thus, the potentiometer can accurately determine an

unknown EMF by comparison with a known EMF,
without drawing current from the cell being tested. This
makes it a highly precise instrument for EMF
measurement.
 ABOUT THE TOPIC

Working with Primary Cells:

A potentiometer allows for the comparison of EMF
between two cells by adjusting the balance point on
a uniform wire.
No current flows through the cells during
measurement, hence the true EMF is measured.

EMF Comparison:
The Daniel and Leclanché cells have different EMF
values due to the difference in the nature of the
electrodes and the electrolytes used in each cell.
The potentiometer allows us to determine the exact
difference in EMF values between these two cells.
 APPARATUS AND
MATERIAL REQUIRED

Potentiometer, a Leclanche cell, a Daniel cell, a two

way key, a resistance box plug type (0 to 1000 Ω), a
galvanometer, a voltmeter (0-3 V), a battery
eliminator/lead accumulator, a low resistance rheostat
(about 20 Ω), two one-way keys, connecting wires and
sand paper
 PROCEDURE
1. Make the circuit connections according to. Connect
positive terminals of the battery E and the two cells E1
and E2 to zero at end A of the potentiometer wire.

2. Connect negative terminal of E to the end B of the

potentiometer wire through a one way key K1 and a
rheostat.

3. Connect negative terminals of the cell E1 and E2 to

the terminals ‘a’ and ‘b’ of the two way key
.
4. Shunt a resistance box RBOX through a key K2 .
Connect common terminal of the two way key to one
end of RBOX.

5. Connect other end of the resistance box to a

galvanometer whose other end is joined to a jockey.
Jockey can be slided on the potentiometer wire to
obtain null deflection in the galvanometer.

6. Bring the cell E1 in the circuit by inserting the plug

between the gaps ‘a’ and ‘c’ of the two way key.
 PROCEDURE
7. Leave the key K2 open. Make rheostat resistance
minimum. Take out high resistance (of the order of
thousand ohm) from the resistance box. Make contact
of the jockey at the zero end of the potentiometer wire.
Note the direction of deflection in the galvanometer.

8. Next, move the jockey to bring it in contact with the

other end of the wire. Note whether the direction of
deflection of the galvanometer needle is opposite to
that observed in step 7.

9. If the deflection of galvanometer needle is in

opposite direction in the above two situations,
connections are correct. If not, look out for the reason.
Connections might be loose or emf of the battery E
might be less than that of the cells E1 and E2 . Make
necessary changes as required.

10. Slide the jockey gently over the potentiometer wire

till you get null deflection in the galvanometer. Plug in
the key K2 to get the accurate position of the null (or
balance) point. The resistance in the resistance box
limits the current flowing through the galvanometer.
 PROCEDURE
Near the balance point, the current flowing through
the galvanometer is small, insertion of the key K2 short
circuits the resistances and hence increases the
current. This improves the sensitivity of balance point
detection. Note the length of the wire AJ, and record it
as l1 . Repeat detection of balance point while moving
the jockey in opposite direction and record the second
value of l1 .

11. Next bring E2 in the circuit by inserting plug

between the gaps ‘b’ and ‘c’ of the two way key. Obtain
the balance point J1 in the same way as you did in
finding l1 and note the length AJ1 as l2 .

12. Repeat steps 6 to 11 three times by shifting the

contact point of the rheostat and calculate l1 /l2 for
each set of readings, for E1 and E2 .

13. Record your observations in tabular form

 OBSERVATION

1. No. of wires on the potentiometer board =

2. Range of the voltmeter =
3. Least count of the voltmeter =
4. Potential drop across E =
5. Potential drop across E1 =
6. Potential drop across E2 =
CALCULATION
 RESULT

PRECAUTIONS
1. Keys plugged into the resistance box must ensure good
electrical contact.
2. Jockey should be pressed gently on the potentiometer wire to
prevent formation of any kinks in it.
3. Position of rheostat contact should not be disturbed before
finishing the task of finding the balance length with both the
cells

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The area of cross section of the potentiometer wire may not
be uniform throughout its length.
2. Avoid continuous discharge of the two cells whose emf are to
be compared by keeping the keys open when E1 and E2 are not
in use.
3. The length measurement may have error if the
potentiometer wire is not taut and along the scale on the board.
 APPLICATIONS
Battery Testing:
Potentiometers are used to compare the EMF of different
types of batteries to ensure their efficiency and
functionality.

Industrial Applications:
Used in various industries for measuring the EMF of cells
in equipment like battery testers and portable devices.

Calibration:
Potentiometers are used in laboratories for precise
calibration of voltage sources.

Research in Electrochemistry:
Understanding EMF is crucial in the development and
research of new types of cells and batteries for better
energy storage.
 CONCLUSION

The experiment demonstrates the difference in

the EMF of the Daniel and Leclanché cells.

It is observed that the Leclanché cell typically

has a higher EMF compared to the Daniel cell.

The potentiometer proves to be an effective

device for measuring and comparing the EMF of
two cells without drawing current, ensuring
accurate readings.

Understanding EMF comparison helps in

selecting the appropriate type of cell for
different applications, depending on the energy
needs
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
NCERT Textbook, Physics

LAB MANUAL, NCERT

eSaral - Physics