State the advantages of a potentiometer over a voltmeter. - Vidyadip

Question

State the advantages of a potentiometer over a voltmeter.

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Answer

Advantages of a potentiometer over a voltmeter:
(1) The cell, whose emf is being measured, draws no current from the circuit at the null point. Thus, the potentiometer measures the open-circuit potential difference across its terminals, or the emf $E$. A voltmeter will measure the terminal potential difference, $V$, of the cell in a closed circuit. This is because the resistance of a voltmeter is high but not infinite and hence the voltmeter is not ideal.
(2) By setting up a suitably small potential gradient along a long potentiometer wire, any small voltage can be measured. Increasing the length of the wire effectively decreases the potential gradient, and increases both the precision and accuracy of measurement.
(3) The adjustment of a potentiometer is a 'null' method which does not, in any way, depend on the calibration of the galvanometer. The galvanometer is used only to detect the current, not to measure it. The accuracy of a voltmeter is limited by its calibration.
(4) Since a potentiometer can measure both the emf and terminal potential difference of a cell, the internal resistance of the cell can be found.

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