Question

Sensitivity of potentiometer can be increased by___________.

Answer 1

Potentiometer

1. A potentiometer is an instrument used to measure unknown emf.
2. It measures the exact value of the emf in terms of the emf of a standard cell.
3. In a potentiometer a wire(generally 1m length) of a uniform cross-section is stretched between two terminals.
4. The wire ends are connected with a battery through resistance R.
5. The cell of which emf is to be calculated is also connected.

The sensitivity of the potentiometer can be increased

1. The sensitivity will decrease as the current via the potentiometer is increased. A potentiometer can measure the tiniest potentiometer difference, which is known as potentiometer sensitivity.
2. Only by increasing the length of the potentiometer wire does increase the sensitivity of the potentiometer.
3. A potentiometer's sensitivity is inversely correlated with its potential gradient. The potential gradient of the wire reduces as the series resistance of the wire increases, which in turn enables more precise emf measurement.
4. The potential gradient is the change in voltage per unit length.
5. The sensitivity of the potentiometer is directly proportional to the length of the wire.
6. As a result, by increasing the length of the potentiometer, the sensitivity of the potentiometer can be enhanced.

Hence, the sensitivity of the potentiometer can be increased by increasing the length of the potentiometer.