Answer:
The sensitivity of the potentiometer can be increased by decreasing the potential gradient.
Potentiometer
A potentiometer is defined as an instrument that is used for measuring an electromotive force (emf) by balancing emf against the potential difference that is produced by passing a known amount of current.
- The potentiometer is an instrument used for measuring the unknown voltage by comparing it with the known voltage.
- It can be used to determine the emf and internal resistance of the given cell and also used to compare the emf of different cells.
- The comparative method is used by the potentiometer. The reading is more accurate in a potentiometer.
- The basic principle of the potentiometer is that the potential drop across any section of the wire will be directly proportional to the length of the wire, provided the wire is of the uniform cross-sectional area and a uniform current flows through the wire.
What is the sensitivity of the Potentiometer?
The sensitivity of the potentiometer is defined as the smallest potential difference that is measured by using a potentiometer. The sensitivity of the potentiometer can be increased by decreasing the potential gradient. i.e., by increasing the length of the potentiometer wire.
Sensitivity of potentiometer can be increased by:
- Increasing the length of the potentiometer wire
- By reducing the current in the circuit by using a rheostat
Both methods help in decreasing the potential gradient and thereby increasing the resistivity.
