Southeast University

School of Science and Engineering

Department of Computer Science & Engineering
Program: [Link]. in CSE
Course Code: PHY 182
Course Title: Physics Laboratory
Course Credit: 1.0, Prerequisite: None
Laboratory Experiment Sheet
Course Teacher: Ishrat Jahan

Experiment #: 01
Experiment Title: Determination of the specific resistance of a wire using a meter bridge

Objectives:
1. To understand Wheatstone bridge and verify Wheatstone bridge principle.
2. To correlate the principle of Wheatstone bridge with meter bridge experiment.

Theory:
A meter bridge is the practical application of Wheatstone bridge arrangement as shown in figure
below. The four resistances are connected to each other as shown and if the bridge is in balanced
state, i.e., there is no deflection in the galvanometer (G),
P/Q = R/X

This relation is used to find the unknown resistance of the given material of wire. The unknown
resistance 'X' can be found by meter bridge which uses the principle of Wheatstone bridge. The
unknown resistance 'X' of the given wire is obtained by relation:

…. (1)
 If L is the length of the experimental wire and r is the radius of the wire then,

…. (2)

List of Equipment:

Apparatus

1. Meter bridge 6. One way key

2. DC power supply 7. A resistance wire
3. Galvanometer 8. Screw gauge
4. Resistance box 9. Metre scale
5. Jockey 10. Connecting wires

Circuit Diagram:

Procedure:

● Make the connections as per the circuit diagram.

●Connect the resistance wire in the left gap (between c & d) and resistance box in the right gap.

●Introduce some resistance in the circuit by taking out some resistance from the resistance box.

●Plug the key. Bring the jockey in contact with the end A first, and then with C. Note the
deflection on the galvanometer.
●If the galvanometer deflects in the opposite direction, the connections are right and the null
point is in between A and C.

● If not so, change the resistance in the resistance box and repeat the process so that the null
point is somewhere between A and C.

●If the galvanometer deflected towards a single side, then check the connection.

●Now, slide the jockey slowly over the wire starting from one and (say, A) and note the
galvanometer deflection. Continue the process till the balancing point is reached.

●Balancing point is the point at which the galvanometer shows zero deflection. Now, note the
position of the jockey from end A. Take it as the balancing length (l) using the meter scale.

●Repeat the process for different values of R. The balancing length is measured each time.

●Calculate the unknown resistance of the resistance wire by using the equation (1).

●Measure the diameter of the given resistance wire using a screw gauge. Hence, its radius(r) can
be found. Also measure the length (L) of the wire using a meter scale. From the measured values,
the specific resistance (resistivity) of the given resistance wire can be calculated using the
equation (2).

Data Collection:

Table1: Determination of unknown resistance, X.

No of Known Balance Point Unknown Mean Resistance,
observation Resistance Resistance
s R l 100-l
(cm) (cm)
(ohm)
(ohm)
(ohm)
1

Table2: Determination of the radius of the wire, r

 No of Linear Circular Least Corrected Total Reading Diameter Radius
readings Scale Scale Count circular (T.R=L.S.R+C.S. d
Readings, Division Scale R) (Mean
N , Reading (n reading)
n (cm) (m)
(cm) (cm) ×L.C) (cm)
(cm)
1

Length of the wire, L= ……………m.

Calculation:

Specific resistance of the wire,

= …………… ohm-m.

Result:
The unknown resistance of the given resistance wire, X = ……...... Ω
The specific resistance (resistivity) of the given resistance wire, ρ = ……...... Ω m.

Experiment #: 02
Experiment Title: Determination of acceleration due to gravity (g) by a compound
pendulum.

Objectives:
1. To understand gravitational acceleration by means of a compound pendulum.

Theory:
Compound pendulum is a rigid body of any shape free to turn about a horizontal axis. When the
body oscillates about a hole from one end or the corresponding hole from the other end, then the
time periods are the same. Then the time period of oscillation T is found from the following
relation,

By finding L graphically, and determining the value of the period T, the acceleration due to
gravity ‘g’ at the place of the experiment can be determined.
 List of Equipment:

Apparatus

1. A bar pendulum
2. A precision stopwatch
3. A meter scale

Procedure:

● Find out the center of gravity G of the bar.

●Insert a metal wedge in the first hole in the bar towards A and place the wedge on the support
S1S2 so that the bar can turn round S.
●Set the bar to oscillate taking care to see that the amplitude of oscillations is not more than 5◦.
Note the time for 20 oscillations.
●Measure the length from the end A of the bar to the top of the first hole i.e., up to the point of
suspension of the pendulum.
●In the same way, suspend the bar at holes 2, 3, ……… and each time note times for 50
oscillations. Also measure distances from the end A for each hole.
● When the middle of the bar is passed, it will turn round so that the end B is now on the top.
But continue measuring the distances from the point of suspension to the end A.
●Now calculate the time period T from the time recorded for 20 oscillations.
●On a graph paper, plot a curve with length as abscissa and period T as ordinate with the origin
at the middle of the paper along the abscissa.
Data Collection:

Table1: Determination of time period, T

Position Hole No. Distance from Time for 20 Time Period

end A Oscillations
End A 1
2
3
4
End B 1
2
3
4
Calculation:
From the graph, AC= …………………. cm
BD= ………………….. cm
Mean length, L = = ……………….cm
Corresponding time period, T =………………….. s

Acceleration due to gravity = …………… cm s-2

= …………….. m s-2
Result: Acceleration due to gravity, g = ……….. ms-2
Experiment #: 03
Experiment Title: Determination of the moment of inertia of a flywheel about its axis of
rotation.

Objectives:
1. To measure the angular velocity of a flywheel.
2. To use the conservation of energy to calculate its moment of inertia.

Theory:

The flywheel consists of a heavy circular disc/massive wheel fitted with a strong axle projecting
on either side. The axle is mounted on ball bearings on two fixed supports. There is a small peg
on the axle. One end of a cord is loosely looped around the peg and its other end carries the
weight-hanger.

Let a mass M, attached by means of a string to the axle of a fly-wheel of radius r, the moment of
inertia of which, about its axis of rotation is I. The length of the string is such that it becomes
detached from the axle when mass strikes the floor. In falling a distance h, the potential energy
of the mass has been converted into kinetic rotational and translational energy. If ω be the
maximum angular velocity of the wheel, F the amount of work done against friction per
revolution and n1 the number of revolutions made while the mass falls the distance h, the loss in
potential energy of M=gain in kinetic energy of M+ gain in K.E. of flywheel work done against
friction.

Mgh=1/2 Mr2ω2+1/2 I ω2+n1F……… (1)

After the mass strikes the ground the wheel executes a further n2 revolutions and the angular
velocity gradually decreases to zero. The rotational kinetic energy Iω2 has been used up in
overcoming frictional forces, hence
Fn2=1/2 I ω2………. (2)

If n2 revolutions take a time t, then the average angular velocity ωa is given by

 Since the angular velocity decreases uniformly from a maximum ω to minimum of zero, the

average angular velocity ωa is also given by

Also the motion is uniform, hence

i.e.

From equations (1), (2) and (3) it follows that

……….. (4)

List of Equipment:

1. Flywheel
2. Weights
3. Cord
4. Stop-watch
5. Meter scale
6. Slide calipers

Diagram:
Procedure:

● Put the loop at one end of the cord round the peg P on the axle a weight Mg at the other end.
Wrap the cord round the axle by rotating the wheel until the weight is at A just below the rim.
● Mark a point H on the rim of the wheel in order to count the number of revolutions of the
wheel.
● Allow the weight to go down till it rests on the upper surface B of the floor on the ground.
Adjust the length of the cord in such a way that at this position of the weight the cord just slips
off the peg P. Thus the weight will fall from A to B through a height h=A’B’ just before it gets
detached from the peg p.
●Rotate the wheel again till the weight is raised to the position A. Allow the weight to fall and
count the rotation n1 made by the wheel by observing the mark H on its rim while the weight
falls from the position A to B.
●Wind up the thread again till the weight is at the position A. Allow the weight to descend. Start
a stop-watch just when the cord slips off the peg and count the number of rotations n2 made by
the wheel before it comes to rest and record the time it took for the purpose.
● Use two different masses and take three observations in each case.
vii) Measure the diameter of the axle at two mutually perpendicular directions and determine the
radius r.

●Use equation for determining the angular velocity and equation

for calculating moment of inertia.

Data Collection:

Table1: Determination of n1, n2 and t

No of Mass M in Height No of No of revolution Time
observation (gm) h revolution n1 n2 t sec
cm

Table2: Determination of the radius, r

Position No. M.S. V.S. V.C Excess Total for Radius Mean Mean
of scale of reading reading (cm) by the r=D/2 Radius Radius
obs. (cm) Vernier Diameter (cm) r r
(cm) D (cm) (cm)
(cm)
Horizontal
reading

Vertical
reading

Calculation:
For the mass of ----------------------g

For the mass of ----------------------------g

For the mass of ----------------------------g

The moment of inertia of the flywheel is, g-cm2

Result:
The moment of inertia of the given flywheel is ------------------- g-cm2

Experiment # 04
Experiment Name: Determination of the horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic
field and magnetic moment of a magnet by employing magnetometer.

Theory: When a bar magnet of length 2l is placed in the end on position with respect to the
magnetometer needle ( i.e., at right angles to the magnetic meridian, either to the east or west of
the needle such that its axis passes through the centre of the needle) and the earth’s magnetic
field is at right angles to the axis of the bar magnet (Fig. 6.5) , then the needle will be acted upon
by two couples of force – one due to the earth’s horizontal field H and the other due to the field F
of the magnet. It can be shown that the deflection θ of the needle in its equilibrium position is
𝑀 𝑑2 −𝑙2
given by the relation =( ) 𝑡𝑎𝑛𝜃 ……. (1)
𝐻 2𝑑

Where M is the magnetic moment of the bar magnet and d the distance of the needle from the
centre of the magnet.
If at the same place the same bar magnet is allowed to oscillate with a small amplitude on a
horizontal plane under the action of earth’s horizontal intensity (H) only, then neglecting the
effects of the moment of inertia of the stirrup and the torsional couple exerted by the suspension
𝐼
fibre ( which are small quantities in any case), the period of oscillation is given by 𝑇 = 2𝜋√(𝑀𝐻)
4𝜋 2 𝐼
or 𝑀𝐻 = …………………………….. (2)
𝑇2

where I is the moment of inertia of the bar magnet about the axis of suspension. If the magnet is
a rectangular one and the axis of suspension is normal to the broad face of the magnet and passes
through its centre of gravity, then
m
I = (𝑙 2 + 𝑏 2 ) ………………………… (3)
12
where l, b and m are the geometrical length, the breadth and the mass of the magnet respectively.
Finding M/H from (1) and MH from (2) and (3), we can calculate H or M by dividing or
multiplying (2) by (1) respectively.

Apparatus
1. Deflection and vibration magnetometers
2. Bar magnet
3. Balance with weight box
4. Slide calipers
5. Stop Watch

Data collection:
Mass of the magnet, m =…….gm
Moment of inertia, 𝐼 = (𝑙2 + 𝑏2) =………………gm-cm2
𝑚
12

Table: Data for the determination of MH

No. of Time period Time periods Mean Time Moment of

observation for 10 T periods T inertia of the 4𝜋 2 𝐼
oscillations (sec) (sec) Magnet, I 𝑀𝐻 = 2
𝑇
(sec) gm-cm2
1
2
3

Calculation:
Mass of the magnet, m = gm
𝑚
Moment of inertia of the magnet, 𝐼 = (𝑙′2 + 𝑏′2 )
12
=
= gm-cm2
𝑀
= 13491
𝐻

MH=
𝑀𝐻
H= √𝑀/𝐻 = oersted
And

𝑀
M= √𝑀𝐻 × 𝐻 = dyne cm/oersted

Result: The horizontal component of the earth’s magnetic field H= oersted and the
magnetic moment of a magnet M= [Link]/oersted

Discussion:

Experiment #: 05
EXPERIMENT TITLE: TO DETERMINE THE ANGLE OF A PRISM (BY ROTATION
OF THE TELESCOPE).

Theory: The principle employed to measure the angle A of the prism is that when a beam of
parallel light falls on the edge of the prism, light is reflected partly from one and partly from
the other refracting face of the prism and the angle between these two reflected rays is
twice the angle of the prism. Let PQ and P`Q` be parallel rays falling on the two different
faces of the prism (fig.1). let QR and Q`R` be the corresponding reflected rays and when
produced back ward let them meet at the point D. Let S and S` be points on the continuation
of PQ and P`Q`. Now AD and PS are parallel lines and since RD meets them ∠RDO =
∠RQS = 2∠BQS = 2∠BAD. Similarly, ∠R′DO = 2∠CAD. ∴ ∠RDR′ = 2∠BAC. Hence ∠A =
∠D/2 where A is the ∠BAC and D is the ∠RDR′.

Fig:1 Fig:2
Procedure: (i) Make all the necessary adjustment of the spectrometer (leveling of the
telescope, collimator and the prism table, alignment of the source and screen, focusing of
the cross-wires, adjustment of the slit and focusing for parallel rays).
(ii) Determine the vernier constants of both the verniers. Now place the prism table
so that its edge coincides with the center of the table. The prism is placed in such a way that
the vertical plane through the axis of the collimator will cut the base BC nearly normally (Fig.2.
(iii) Parallel rays from the collimator now fall on both the faces AB and AC of the
prism and after reflection, from images which can be seen by looking towards those faces.
With the unaided eye, find the image formed by reflection from the face AB of the prism.
Take the telescope to the position of the eye to receive the image.
(iv) Now move the telescope slowly by the tangent screw until the center of the
cross-wires coincidence with the image of the slit. The reading of both the verniers is noted and
This is repeated for three independent settings of the telescope. Determine the mean value
of these three readings corresponding to each vernier.
(v) Next the image formed by the reflection of rays at the other face AC is received
first by the unaided eye and then by the telescope. Repeat the entire operation described in
(iv) and take the mean value of the three readings corresponding to each vernier.
(vi) Determine, separately for each of the two verniers, the difference between the
two mean readings for the two positions of the telescope. Take the mean of these two
differences. Half of this is the angle A of the prism.
 Data Collection:
(A) Table for angle of the prism (A).

Reading for the image Reading for the image of Difference in Mean Angle of
of the face AB of the the face AC of the prism reading at ϴ the prism
prism the two face 𝛳
A=2
(𝛳 = 𝑀 − 𝑁)
Vernier scale reading V=V.D×V.C
Vernier scale division (V.D)

Vernier scale division (VD)

Vernier scale reading (s)

Main scale reading (s)

Main scale reading (s)

Total reading M=S+V

Total reading N= s+V

No of observation

V= V. D×V.C

1
2
3

Calculation:
(B) Vernier constant
1
Value of the smallest circular scale division = ˚=30́
2
30 Vernier division = 29 main scale division
29
1 ” ” = ” ” ”
30
29 1 1 1 1
VC= (1 − 30) m.s.d = m.s.d= ( × ) ˚=( ) ˚=1́
30 30 2 60

Result: Angle of the prism is

Discussion:
Experiment Number: 06

Experiment Name: Determination of the modulus of rigidity of a wire by the method of

oscillation

Theory:

If a heavy body be supported by a vertical wire of length l and radius r, so that the axis of the
wire passes through its centre of gravity and if the body be turned through an angle and released,
it will execute torsional oscillations about a vertical axis. If at any instant the angle of twist be 𝜃,
the moment of the torsional couple exerted by the wire will be

ղ𝜋𝑟 4 𝜃
= 𝐶𝜃….. (i)
2𝑙

ղ𝜋𝑟 4
Where C= = a constant and ղ is the modulus of rigidity of the material of the wire.
2𝑙
Therefore, the motion is simple harmonic and of fixed period.
I
T = 2π√ (ii)
C

Where I is the moment of inertia of the body.

From (i) and (ii).

4𝜋 2 𝐼 8𝜋𝐼𝑙
𝑇2 = =
𝐶 ղ𝑟 4

8𝜋𝐼𝐿
or, ղ = dynes /cm2
𝑇2𝑟 4

Fig:1

Apparatus:

A uniform wire, a disc or cylindrical bar, suitable clamps, stop-watch, screw gauge, meter scale,
etc.
Data Collection:

Readings for the time period T.

No. of observations Time for 30 oscillations Period of Oscillation Mean

T T

Calculation:
(1) Diameter of the wire, d = L.S + (C.S ×L.C)
𝑑
Radius of the wire, r = = cm
2

Mass of the cylinder M = 1240 gm

(2) Diameter of the cylinder, D = M. S+ (V.S×V.C)

𝐷
Radius of the cylinder, R = cm
2

(3) Length of the wire, L = cm

1
(4) Moment of inertia, 𝐼 = MR2 = gm-cm2
2

8𝜋𝐼𝐿
Rigidity, ղ = dynes/cm2
𝑇2𝑟4

=
dynes/cm2

Result: The modulus of rigidity of a wire is dynes/cm2

Report:
The report will contain all the data you have recorded in your rough copy along with the theory.
No need to write the experimental procedure.

Text Book:
1. Practical Physics
Dr. Giasuddin Ahmed & Md. Shahabuddin