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eil2001
Mar8-05, 08:34 AM
I have a hw question about a potentiometer. There is a resistor between a and b that is a uniform wire of length l, with a sliding contact c at a distance x from b. An unknown potential difference V is measured by sliding the contact until the galvonometer G reads zero. I need to show that under this condition the unknown potential difference is given by V=(x/l)E. Any ideas???

npgreat
Mar8-05, 08:42 AM
What is meant by E?

eil2001
Mar8-05, 10:19 AM
What is meant by E?

E is the emf.

clive
Mar8-05, 01:34 PM
The sliding contact divides the resistor in two other resistors R=R_1+R_2 where R_1 and R_2 are proportional with corresponding lengths (x and l-x). The current is given by
I=\frac{E}{R}
and the potential difference between the ends of R_1
V=I\cdot R_1
and so on....