ACADEMIC YEAR (2025-26)
PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TO CONVERT THE GIVEN GALVANOMETER (OF KNOWN
RESISTANCE AND FIGURE OF MERIT) INTO A VOLTMETER
OF DESIRED RANGE AND TO VERIFY THE SAME.
NAME OF THE STUDENT : DEVAN.S
CLASS AND SECTION : XII
SUBJECT : PHYSICS
SUBJECT CODE : 042
CBSE ROLL NO :
1
Affiliated To Central Board of Secondary Education
AISSCE (Class XII) Practical Examination in 042
This is to certify that DEVAN.S Roll No: ____________________________
of RAJA DESING PUBLIC SENIOR SEC SCHOOL has completed his project on
“To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into
a voltmeter of desired range and to verify the same” under the Guidance of Mr.
A. ROBERT, M.A., [Link]., MBA., [Link]., [Link]., PGDCA., during the academic year
2025-2026
I hereby certify that this project is up to my expectation and as per the
guidelines issued by CBSE.
Signature of Teacher in Charge Signature of Principal
This project file submitted for the AISSCE (Grade XII) Practical Examination in PHYSICS
conducted on ______________________
Signature of Internal Examiner Signature of External Examiner
2
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Apart from the efforts of me, the success of any project depends largely
on the encouragement and guidelines of many others. I take this opportunity to
express my gratitude to the people who have been instrumental in the
successful completion of this project.
I express deep sense of gratitude to almighty God for giving me strength
for the successful completion of my project.
I express my heartfelt gratitude to my parents for constant encouraging
me while carrying out this project.
I express my deep sense of gratitude to our honourable Chairman,
Directors who has been continuously motivating and extending their helping
hand to us.
I express my sincere thanks to The Principal, Mr A. ARULMURUGAN, M.A.,
[Link]., [Link], for constantly encouraging and the guiding me during this project.
My sincere thanks to Mr A. ROBERT, M.A., [Link]., MBA., [Link]., [Link].,
PGDCA., Master In-charge, A guide, Mentor all the above a friend, who critically
reviewed my project and helped in solving each and every problem, occurred
during implementation of the project
3
INDEX
S. No Contents Page. No
1 Objective
2 Introduction
3 Principle
4 Construction
5 Working of Moving coil galvanometer
6 Sensitivity of Moving coil galvanometer
7 Figure of Merit
8 Factors affecting sensitivity
9 Applications
10 Conversion of galvanometer to voltmeter
11 Aim
12 Theory
13 Apparatus Required
14 Procedure
15 Diagram
16 Observations
17 Snapshots
18 Result
19 Precautions
20 Bibliography
4
OBJECTIVE:
To understand the working and principles of moving coil galvanometer.
INTRODUCTION:
The galvanometer is an instrument used to measure a small electrical current or
a function of the current by deflection of a moving coil. Deflection is a
mechanical rotation derived from forces resulting from the current.
A moving coil galvanometer is an instrument which is used to measure electric
currents. It is a sensitive electromagnetic device which can measure low currents
even of the order of a few micro-amperes. Depending on the requirement, this
device can be used as a current detector or for measuring the value of the
current(ammeter) or voltage (voltmeter).
PRINCIPLE:
A current-carrying coil, when placed in an external magnetic field, experiences
magnetic torque. The angle through which the coil is deflected because of the
magnetic torque is proportional to the magnitude of current in the coil.
5
CONSTRUCTION:
The moving coil galvanometer is made up of a rectangular coil that has
many turns, and it is usually made of thinly insulated or fine copper wire
that is wounded on a metallic frame. The coil is free to rotate about a fixed
axis. A phosphor bronze strip that is connected to a movable torsion head is
used to suspend the coil in a uniform radial magnetic field.
Essential properties of the material used for suspension of the coil are
conductivity and a low value of the torsional constant. A cylindrical soft iron
core is symmetrically positioned inside the coil to improve the strength of the
magnetic field and to make the field radial. The lower part of the coil is attached
to a phosphor-bronze spring having a small number of turns. The other end of
the spring is connected to binding screws.
The spring is used to produce a counter torque which balances the magnetic
torque and hence helps in producing a steady angular deflection. A plane mirror
which is attached to the suspension wire, along with a lamp and scale
arrangement, is used to measure the deflection of the coil. Zero-point of the
scale is at the center.
6
WORKING OF MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER:
Let a current I flow through the rectangular coil of n number of turns and a
cross-sectional area A. When this coil is placed in a uniform radial magnetic
field B, the coil experiences a torque τ.
Let us first consider a single turn ABCD of the rectangular coil having a
length l and breadth b. This is suspended in a magnetic field of strength B
such that the plane of the coil is parallel to the magnetic field. Since the sides
AB and DC are parallel to the direction of the magnetic field, they do not
experience any effective force due to the magnetic field. The sides AD and
BC being perpendicular to the direction of field experience an effective force
F given by F = BIL
7
Using Fleming’s left-hand rule, we can determine that the forces on AD and BC
are in opposite direction to each other. When equal and opposite forces F called
couple acts on the coil, it produces a torque. This torque causes the coil to deflect.
We know that torque τ = force x perpendicular distance between the forces
τ=F×b
Substituting the value of F we already know,
Torque τ acting on single-loop ABCD of the coil = BIL× b
Where L x b is the area A of the coil,
Hence the torque acting on n turns of the coil is given by
τ = nIAB
The magnetic torque thus produced causes the coil to rotate, and the phosphor
bronze strip twists. In turn, the spring S attached to the coil produces a
counter torque or restoring torque kθ which results in a steady angular
deflection. Under equilibrium condition:
kθ = nIAB
Here k is called the torsional constant of the spring (restoring couple per unit
twist). The deflection or twist θ is measured as the value indicated on a scale
by a pointer which is connected to the suspension wire. θ= (nAB / k) I
Therefore, θ I
The quantity nAB / k is a constant for a given galvanometer. Hence it
is understood that the deflection that occurs the galvanometer is
directly proportional to the current that flows through it.
8
SENSITIVITY OF MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER:
The general definition of the sensitivity experienced by a moving coil
galvanometer is given as the ratio of change in deflection of the galvanometer to
the change in current in the coil.
S = dθ/dI
The sensitivity of a galvanometer is higher if the instrument shows larger
deflection for a small value of current. Sensitivity is of two types, namely
current sensitivity and voltage sensitivity.
• Current Sensitivity
The deflection θ per unit current I is known as current sensitivity
θ/I = nAB/k
• Voltage Sensitivity
The deflection θ per unit voltage is known as Voltage sensitivity θ/V. Dividing
both sides by V in the equation
θ= (nAB / k) I
θ/V= (nAB /V k) I = (nAB / k) (I/V) = (nAB /k) (1/R)
R stands for the effective resistance in the circuit. It is worth noting that
voltage sensitivity = Current sensitivity/ Resistance of the coil. Therefore,
under the condition that R remains constant, voltage sensitivity Current
sensitivity.
FIGURE OF MERIT OF A GALVANOMETER:
It is the ratio of the full-scale deflection current and the number of graduations
on the scale of the instrument. It also the reciprocal of the current sensitivity of a
galvanometer.
9
FACTORS AFFECTING SENSITIVITY OF A
GALVANOMETER:
a) Number of turns in the coil
b) Area of the coil
c) Magnetic field strength B
d) The magnitude of couple per unit twist k/nAB
APPLICATIONS OF GALVANOMETER:
The moving coil galvanometer is a highly sensitive instrument due to which it
can be used to detect the presence of current in any given circuit. If a
galvanometer is a connected in a Wheatstone’s bridge circuit, the pointer in the
galvanometer shows null deflection, i.e. no current flows through the device.
The pointer deflects to the left or right depending on the direction of the current.
The galvanometer can be used to measure:
a) the value of current in the circuit by connecting it in parallel to low resistance.
b) the voltage by connecting it in series with high resistance
10
CONVERSION OF GALVANOMETER TO VOLTMETER
AIM:
To convert the given galvanometer (of known resistance and figure of merit) into a
voltmeter of desired range and to verify the same.
THEORY:
The series resistance required for conversion,
Where V is the range of conversion.
APPARATUS REQUIRED:
A Weston type galvanometer, a voltmeter 0-3 Volts range, a battery of two cells or
battery eliminator, two (10,000 Ω and 200 Ω) resistance boxes, two one-way keys, a
rheostat, connecting wires and a piece of sandpaper.
PROCEDURE:
1. Calculate the value of series resistance R to be connected in series with the galvanometer for
the given range V (say 3 volts).
2. Connect a resistance box in series with the galvanometer and take out the plugs of resistance
R. Now, the given galvanometer is ready for use as a voltmeter of range V volts.
3. For verification make the connections as shown in the circuit diagram. Here AB is a rheostat
being used as a potential divider. A and B are the fixed terminals, and C is the variable
terminal of the rheostat.
4. Take out the plugs of calculated resistance R from the resistance box. Insert the key K and
adjust the movable contact of the rheostat so that deflection in the galvanometer becomes
maximum. 5. Note the readings of voltmeter and galvanometer. Convert the galvanometer
reading into volts.
5. Find the difference, if any, between the readings of voltmeter and galvanometer.
6. Move the variable contact C of the rheostat and take at least five observations covering the
whole range of the voltmeter i.e., 0-3 volts
11
DIAGRAM:
In the given circuit
RG = Resistance of the galvanometer
R = Value of high resistance
G = Galvanometer coil
I = Total current passing through the circuit
IG = Total current passing through the galvanometer which corresponds to a full-
scale deflection.
V = Voltage drops across the series connection of galvanometer and high
resistance.
12
OBSERVATIONS:
Reading of galvanometer into voltmeter
Standard voltmeter Standard voltmeter
reading reading
[Link] The potential
V2 V2-V1
Deflection difference in volts
V1
1. 2 0.2 0.5 0.3
2. 5 0.5 1.0 0.5
3. 8 0.8 1.5 0.7
4. 11 1.1 2.0 0.9
SNAPSHOTS:
13
RESULT:
The value of the actual and measured value of the potential difference is very small
and conversion is perfect.
PRECAUTIONS:
• Calculate the resistance accurately
• Use the same range conversion voltmeter should be used for verification
• Use correct length shunt wire
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. [Link]
2. [Link]
3. NCERT Textbook
4. Lab manual
14
