Physics Lab Observation Sheet CAREY FOSTER’S BRIDGE 2009-2010

PREPARED BY:

Mr. CHARIS ISRAEL ANCHA M.Sc., (Ph.D.)

Asst. Prof. of PHYSICS
Mob. No: +91-9866934653

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CAREY FOSTER’S BRIDGE 2009-2010
Exp. No: CAREY FOSTER’S BRIDGE
Date:

Aim: To determine the specific resistance of the material of a wire by Carey Fosters Bridge.

Apparatus: Carey Foster’s Bridge Board, Battery eliminator, Galvanometer, High resistance (5000 Ω), Low
resistance box (0.1 – 10 Ω), two standard resistances (2Ω each), Copper Strip, Copper wire, meter scale,
Screw gauge, connecting wires.
Formulae:

R
1) Resistivity of the bridge wire, ρ = Ω / cm.
l1 − l2
where l1 & l2 are the balancing lengths when the low resistance box is in the left and right
gaps of the bridge and R is the resistance in the low resistance box.
2) Resistance of the given copper wire, RCopper wire = ρ (l3 − l4 ) + R Ω.
where l3 & l4 are the balancing lengths when the low resistance box is in the left and right
gaps of the bridge and R is the resistance in the low resistance box.
RCopper Wireπ r 2
3) The Specific Resistance of the given of the wire, S = Ω − cm. where r & l are the radius
l
and length of the given copper wire.
Figure: K
Battery
2Ω 2Ω
L.R.
C Copper Strip

P P' Q R R' S
A B
J
H .R.
Procedure: G

(A) To determine the Resistivity ‘ρ’ of the bridge wire:

1) Make the circuit such as shown in the figure with tight connections.
2) Connect the low resistance box in the left gap ‘P’ and the given copper strip in the right gap ‘S’.
3) The two gaps ‘Q’ & ‘R’ are to be connected by the standard resistance of 2Ω each.
4) From the centre ‘C’ of the circuit board connect the galvanometer ‘G’ with a high resistance of 5KΩ
and a jockey ‘J’ in series.
5) Make sure that the connections made are tight.
6) A battery of around 2-4V is to be connected between P’ and R’ through a key ‘K’.
7) By changing the resistance in the L.R. box, identify the balancing lengths ‘l1’.
8) Now interchange the L.R. and the copper strip and again identify the balancing lengths ‘l2’.
9) Tabulate the readings of R, l1 & l2 and calculate the resistivity ‘ρ’ of the bridge wire.

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CAREY FOSTER’S BRIDGE 2009-2010
(B) To determine the unknown resistance of the copper wire:
1) Now replace the copper strip with the given copper wire.
2) Repeat the experiment to find the balancing lengths l3 & l4.
3) Tabulate the readings of R, l3 & l4 and calculate the resistance of the given copper wire.
Observations:
Least Count of the screw Gauge:

distance moved on the main scale

Pitch of the Screw = mm = _________ mm.
no. of rotations of the screw

pitch of the screw

Least Count, L.C. = mm = ________ mm.
no. of divisions on the circular scale

Length of the given copper wire, ‘l’ = _____cm.

Tabular -I: To determine the radius of the given copper wire

Readings of Screw Gauge Mean

Radius of the
Diameter of
S. No. Trial Position wire
M.S.R C.S.R Total the wire
‘r’ mm
‘a’ ‘b’ a+(b x L.C.) mm ‘d’ mm

1. First end

2. Middle

3. Last end

Tabular-II: To determine the Resistivity ‘ρ’ of the bridge wire

Distance of the balancing point when the L.R. is in

R
S. Resistance Left Gap Right Gap l1 – l2 ρ= Ω / cm
l1 − l2
No RΩ Trial Trial Mean Trial Trial Mean cm
I II l1 cm I II l2 cm
1. 0.1

2. 0.2

3. 0.3

4. 0.4

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Physics Lab Observation Sheet CAREY FOSTER’S BRIDGE 2009-2010
Tabular-III: To determine the Unknown Resistance of the copper wire

Distance of the balancing point when the L.R. is in RCopper wire =

Left Gap Right Gap Mean
S. Resistance l3 – l4
No RΩ Trial Trial Mean Trial Trial Mean cm ρ (l3 − l4 ) + R Resistance
Ω Ω
I II l1 cm I II l2 cm
1. 1.1

2. 1.2

3. 1.3

4. 1.4

Calculations:

RCopper Wireπ r 2
The Specific Resistance of the given Copper wire, S = =_________Ω − cm.
l
Precautions:
1) All the connections are to be made tightly.
2) Allow the current to flow through the circuit on when the readings are to be taken.
3) Jockey should not be dragged on the wire, it should be lifted and made in contact with the wire.
4) Confirm the connections by checking the deflection in the galvanometer.

Result:

1) The Resistivity of the bridge wire, ρ = ________ Ω/cm.

2) The resistance of the given copper wire, Rcopper wire = __________ Ω.

3) The Specific Resistance of the given copper wire, S = ________ Ω - cm.

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