Q107 / 150 · MHT CET 2026 (11 April Shift 2) · Physics

In potentiometer experiment, null point is obtained at a particular point for a cell on potentiometer wire 'x' cm long. If length of potentiometer wire is increased by few cm without changing the cell, the balancing length will (Driving source is not changed)

  • A
    decrease
  • Correct answer
    B
    increase
  • C
    not change
  • D
    become zero

Solution

Let the driving cell have EMF $E_0$ and internal resistance $r$. Let the resistance per unit length of the potentiometer wire be $\rho$.

The current in the potentiometer wire is given by $I = \dfrac{E_0}{\rho L + r}$, where $L$ is the total length of the wire.

The potential gradient $k$ (potential drop per unit length) is:

$k = I \rho = \dfrac{E_0 \rho}{\rho L + r}$

When the length of the potentiometer wire $L$ is increased, the denominator $(\rho L + r)$ increases, which causes the potential gradient $k$ to decrease.

For a cell of EMF $E$, the balancing length $l$ is given by the condition:

$E = k l \Rightarrow l = \dfrac{E}{k}$

Since the EMF of the cell $E$ remains constant and the potential gradient $k$ decreases, the balancing length $l$ must increase.

Hence, the correct answer is option: 'B'.

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