SECTION - A

ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1
AIM
To assemble the components of a given electrical circuit.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Resistor, ammeter, (0-1.5A) voltmeter (0-5V ), battery, one way key,
rheostat, sand paper, connecting wires.

P ROCEDURE
1. Connect the components
as shown in Fig. A 1.1.
2. After closing the key K,
check that the voltmeter
and ammeter show
deflections on the right
hand side.
3. Check the continuity of the
assembled circuit using a
multimeter (see Activity 4).
Fig. A 1.1 Assembling of given components

R ESULT
The components of the electrical circuit were assembled.

P RECAUTIONS
1. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the
positive terminal of ammeter and positive terminal of the voltmeter.
2. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor and
the voltmeter should be connected in parallel with the resistor.
3. Sand paper should be used to clean the ends of connecting wires
and leads of the component terminals. Grease/oil or oxide layer

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

on their surfaces is insulating in nature and needs to be removed.

However, do not clean the plugs and keys with sand paper.
Excessive use of sand paper in such a case will make the plug
unfit to be used with the key.

D ISCUSSION
1. Draw the circuit diagram of the experiment before you start
connecting apparatus and keep infront of you.
2. The values of the resistances and the current carraying capacity
of the rheostat are given on a plate fixed on the body of rheostat.

S ELF ASSESSMENT
1. What do you mean by emf of a cell?
2. Does the current drawn from the cell remain constant? If
not, why?
3. Why is an ammeter always connected in series with the circuit?
4. Why is a voltmeter always connected in parallel to the component
across which voltage is to be measured?

SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENTS/ACTIVITIES

1. Design different kinds of circuits that you will study in your class and
assemble them using the relevant components, for example (i) circuit to
measure the value of an unknown resistance using a meter bridge (ii) circuit
to compare e.m.f. of two cells using a potentiometer, etc.
2. Measure the voltmeter and ammeter readings for different rheostat settings
and verify if the ratio of potential difference across the resistor to the current
through it is constant.
3. Modify the circuit using two resistors which may either be connected in
series or in parallel.

140

24/04/2018
 ACTIVITY 13

ACTIVITY 2
AIM
To draw the diagram of given open circuit comprising at least a battery,
resistor/rheostat, key, ammeter and voltmeter. Mark the components
that are not connected in proper order and correct the circuit and
also the circuit diagram.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

A given open circuit comprising atleast a cell or a battery, plug
key, resistor, rheostat, ammeter, voltmeter, connecting wires and
sand paper.

P RINCIPLE
An electrical circuit is functional only if all the components of the
circuit are connected in proper order, assuming that all circuit
components/devices are in working condition and key is closed.
An open circuit means a break in some part of a circuit which could
be deliberate such as a key in open position or a fault such as broken
wire or burnt out component(s) or loose connection. Some of such
circuits are given in Figs. A 2.1 (a), (b), (c) and (d).

141
LABORATORY MANUAL

Fig. A 2.1 (a),(b),(c),(d) Open circuits

Note to teachers: In this activity, students are expected to draw

the diagram of a given open circuit comprising a few circuit
components e.g. a key, ammeter, voltmeter, resistor, rheostat etc.
After drawing the given circuit, students would be marking the
components which are not connected in proper order. Then a
correct circuit diagram is to be drawn and accordingly the circuit
components are to be connected in proper order.
Teachers are therefore advised to set up a few open circuits in
which some of the components are not arranged in proper order.

P ROCEDURE
1. Draw the circuit diagrams in your notebook as given by your
teacher [Fig. A 2.1(a), (b), (c) and (d)].
2. Consider one circuit and mark in Table A 2.1, the various
components which have not been connected in proper order.
3. Draw the correct circuit diagram.
4. Connect the electrical components according to corrected circuit
diagram.
5. Close the key in the circuit to verify if the corrected circuit is
functional.

Note: Rheostat can be used both as a variable resistance and potential

divider.
Rheostat as a variable resistance
1. Draw a diagram as given in Fig. A 2.2 (a) showing use of a rheostat
as a variable resistor.
142

24/04/2018
 ACTIVITY 2 13

2. Connect the terminals of rheostat as drawn below using one end

terminal and the other variable terminal.

Variable resistance

Rh

End terminal End terminal

(1) (2)

(a)

Fig. A 2.2 (a) Rheostat as a variable resistor

(b) Rheostat as a potential divider giving variable voltage

Rheostat as a potential divider

1. Draw a diagram as given in Fig. A 2.2 (b) showing use of a rheostat
as a potential divider.
2. Connect the terminals of rheostat as drawn above using (i) the
end terminals (1) and (2) connected to input potential (battery)
and (ii) one end terminal and the other variable terminal for
variable voltage.

O
BSERVATIONS

Table A 2.1: Mark a (P ) in appropriate column

Sl. No. Circuit Correct Incorrect

Component Connection Connection
1 Battery/cell
2 Resistor
3 Rheostat
4 Key
5 Ammeter
6 Voltmeter

R
ESULT
The electrical circuit assembled as per the corrected circuit diagram
is functional.

143

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

P RECAUTIONS
1. Ends of the connecting wires should be cleaned with sand paper
before making connections.
2. The positive terminal of the battery should be connected to the
positive terminal of the voltmeter and positive terminal of the
ammeter.
3. The ammeter should be connected in series with the resistor and
the voltmeter should be connected in parallel with it.

D ISCUSSION
1. (a) Rheostat can be used in series as a variable resistance. In
this case, the end terminal (1) and the other variable terminal
is to be used [Fig. A 2.2(a)].
(b) When rheostat has to be used as a potential divider across
the cell, the variable voltage is derived using any one end-
terminal and the variable terminal of the rheostat [Fig. A
2.2(b)].
Justify how the discussion points 1(a) and 1(b) are possible?
2. Key is to be kept “OPEN” so that no damage to the components
occur.

S ELF ASSESSMENT
1. Interpret the function of each component in the circuit.
2. Draw a circuit diagram of a rheostat as a variable resistance
showing the position of sliding contact for (i) maximum resistance
(ii) minimum resistance.
3. What is the function of sand paper in setting up the electric circuit?
4. A rheostat and a resistance box can change the resistance in a
circuit, yet their functions are different. Discuss it.

SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENTS/ACTIVITIES

1. Draw a circuit diagram using rheostat as a potential divider. Make actual

connection and determine the voltage range it provides.
2. Study the different kinds of keys available in the laboratory and identify
their functions in the electric circuit.
3. Make a detailed study of different types of resistances available in the
laboratory (carbon resistor, wire wound resistance box).
4. Compare the connecting wires used in household circuits and those used in
the laboratory.
5. Make a study of different battery eliminators, dc sources (cells, batteries) in
the laboratories. How are they different as compared to car batteries?
144

24/04/2018
 ACTIVITY 13

ACTIVITY 35
AIM
To assemble a household circuit comprising three bulbs, three
(on/off) switches, a fuse and a power source.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Three bulbs (40 W, 220 V each), three (on/off) switches, socket, a fuse
of 1.0 A, plug, flexible connecting wire, main switch.

P RINCIPLE
If P1, P2, P3, P4, P5, ... be the power consumed by different domestic
electrical appliances in a circuit then the total power consumption, P
at any instant is given by

P = P1+ P2+ P3+ P4+ P5+ ... (A 5.1)

If electric potential is V, then current I drawn from the mains is given by

P (A 5.2)
I =
V

where P is in watt, V in volt

and I in ampere.
In order to protect the
appliances from damage,
when accidentally a high
current is drawn (e.g. when
the terminals of the appliance
get accidentally connected), a
fuse of rating little higher (10
to 20 per cent higher than the
current normally drawn) is
connected in series with the
set of appliances (Fig. A 5.1).
Fig. A 5.1

157

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

P ROCEDURE
1. Take the bulbs B1, B2, B3 and connect them in series with switches
S1, S2 and S3 respectively. Connect B1, B2, B3 alongwith S1, S2, S3
in parallel with each other as shown in Fig. A 5.1.
2. Connect fuse F in series with the set up as shown in Fig. A 5.1.
Connect a plug and the socket at the end of two leads. Connect a
wire from the earth pin of the plug.
3. Insert the plug in socket provided in the main electric board.
4. Press the switches S1, S2, S3 one by one and observe the bulb
that is switched on and off independently of the other bulb.
5. Press all the switches simultaneously and observe what happens.
Record your observations.

R ESULT
Household circuit assembly is complete and installed with safety.

P RECAUTIONS
1. Care should be taken while working with mains.
2. Carefully determine the rating of the fuse by calculating the
maximum current drawn by the circuit.

D ISCUSSION
1. Fuse is a safety device. Never use fuse of much higher rating
than the recommended value.
2. The rating of the main electricity in our houses is determined by the
total power requirements. In general it is 220 V, 30 A and
50 Hz. The supply is connected to a distribution board which divides
the power into different circuits; some having a rating of 220 V,
15 A meant for heavy duty appliances like room heater,
airconditioner, geysers, hot plates etc., others have a rating of 220
V, 5 A meant for light appliances like light bulbs, ceiling fans etc.
Let us consider one electrical circuit with 220 V, 5 A supply. In
such a circuit all appliances are connected in parallel with a switch.
This switch is in series with each appliance in supply live line.

S ELF ASSESSMENT
1. Calculate the maximum current drawn for three bulbs used in
the circuit.
SUGGESTED ADDITIONAL EXPERIMENTS/ACTIVITIES
1. Draw a circuit diagram consisting of two light points, one fan point
and one plug point.
158

24/04/2018
SECTION - B
 ACTIVITY

ACTIVITY 48
AIM
To identify a diode, a LED, a transistor, an IC, a resistor and a capacitor
from a mixed collection of such items.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Multimeter, a collection of diode, LED, transistor, IC, resistor and
capacitor.

P RINCIPLE
A diode is a two terminal device. It conducts when forward biased
and does not conduct when reverse biased. It does not emit light
while conducting.
A LED (light emitting diode) is also a two terminal device. It conducts
when forward biased and does not conduct when reverse biased. It
emits light while conducting.
A transistor is a three terminal device. The terminals represent emitter
(E), base (B) and collector (C).
An IC (integrated circuit) is a multi-terminal device in the form of a
chip. But some may have only three terminals, e.g. 7805, 7806,
7809, 7912.
A resistor is a two terminal device. It conducts equally in both
directions.
A capacitor is a two terminal device. It does not conduct but stores
some charge when dc voltage is applied.

P ROCEDURE
1. Check the physical appearance of the component.
(a) If it has four or more terminals and has the appearance of a
chip (black rectangular block), then it is an IC.

167

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

(a) (a) (b)

+Non
inverting
Inverting

(c)

(d)

(e) (f)

Fig. A 8.1 (a) Diode (b) LED (c) Transistor (d) IC (e) Resistor (f) Capacitor

(b) If it has three terminals, the component may be a transistor.

To confirm, set-up the multimeter in resistance mode
(highest range). Connect its black or common terminal to
one of the extreme legs of the component and the second
terminal (red or positive) to the central leg. Check the
multimeter deflection. If a deflection is observed, interchange
the multimeter terminals. If no deflection is observed, the
component is a transistor. Repeat this test by connecting
the multimeter terminals to the central leg and the other
extreme leg. If a similar behaviour is observed, the
component is a transistor.
(2) If the component has two terminals, it could be a resistor, a
capacitor, a diode or a LED.

168

24/04/2018
 ACTIVITY 8

(a) Look for colour bands, if it has a typical set of three colour
bands followed by a silver or gold band, the component is a
resistor.
(b) Connect the multimeter terminals (in resistance mode-
highest range) to the component terminals and watch for
multimeter deflection. Also repeat by reversing the
component terminals.
(c) If the multimeter shows an equal deflection in both the
directions, the component is a resistor.
(d) If the deflection is accompanied with emission of light, in one
direction and a much less or zero deflection in the other
direction the component is a LED.
(e) If the multimeter does not show any deflection in one direction
and shows deflection with no light emission in the other
direction then, the component is a diode.
(f) If the multimeter does not show any deflection on connecting
its terminals either way to the component, it is a capacitor.
But if capacitance of capacitor is large, multimeter may show
a momentary deflection.
(g) Record your observations in Table A 8.1 and A 8.2.

Note to teachers

(i) Avoid giving an IC with three terminals.

(ii) Preferably use analog multimeter and not the digital
multimeter.
(iii) In case of digital multimeter, the term “deflection” in the
instructions may be read as “reading”.
(iv) Label each component by a different alphabet e.g., A, B,
C, D, E...

O
BSERVATIONS
Table A 8.1 : Checking for the number of terminals

Alphabet marked Name of the Device

[Link]. No. of terminals
on the device

1 Two
2 Three
3 More than three

169
LABORATORY MANUAL

Table A 8.2 : Checking for the state of conduction

[Link]. State of Device Code Name of the device

conduction

1 Conducts in one direction

only without any emission
of light
2 Conducts in one direction
only with emission of light
3 Three terminal device;
conducts in one direction
only between central
terminal and either of the
remaining two terminals
4 Conducts in both
directions
5 Does not conduct, gives an
initial deflection which
decays to zero

R ESULT
A diode, a LED, a transistor, an IC, a resistor and a capacitor are
identified respectively from a mixed collection.

P RECAUTION
While obtaining resistance of any component, clean its
leads properly.

S OURCES OF ERROR
1. When the metal ends of a multimeter leads are touched, the
multimeter should show zero resistance. If it does not show
it, bring the pointer to zero using ‘Zero Adj knob’ on the
multimeter. If it is not done, the resistance measurements are
not reliable.
2. While checking resistance of a component, avoid touching either
of the metal ends of the multimeter leads. Body resistance in
parallel with component resistance can affect the resistance
measurement.

170

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

ACTIVITY 510
AIM
To observe refraction and lateral deviation of a beam of light incident
obliquely on a glass slab.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Drawing board, rectangular glass slab, white sheet of paper,
adhesive tape (cello-tape), drawing pins, a metre scale, alpins,
protractor, sharp pencil and eraser.

PRINCIPLE
When a ray of light is incident on a rectangular glass slab, it is
refracted through it. It emerges out of the slab parallel to the
direction of the incident ray. The emergent ray suffers only a lateral
displacement. For a given angle of incidence and a pair of media,
the lateral deviation is proportional to the thickness of the glass
slab.

PROCEDURE
1. Fix a white sheet of paper on the drawing board with the help of
cello-tape or drawing pins.

2. Place the glass slab lengthwise symmetrically at the centre of the

paper sheet and mark its boundary ABCD (Fig. A10.1) on the
paper sheet with a sharp pencil.

3. Draw a normal at a point F on the face AB. Draw a line EF,

representing the incident ray, making an angle i the angle of
incidence with the normal.

4. Fix two alpins P and Q with sharp tips, about 8 to 10 cm apart,

vertically on the line EF.

5. Observe the images of the two pins through the face

opposite of the glass slab. Fix two more alpins R and S
182

24/04/2018
 ACTIVITY 10

about 8 to 10 cm apart,
vertically on the white paper
sheet carefully with their
tips in line with the tips of
the images of P and Q. Take
care that the tips of all the
alpins appear to be on a
straight line.

6. Remove the glass slab and

mark the pin prick positions
of the alpins on the white
paper sheet with a pencil.
Draw a straight line GH,
representing the emergent
ray, passing through the
points marked R and S,
meeting the face CD at G.

7. Draw the line FG to represent

the refracted ray. Draw a
normal at the point G on the
face CD; making an angle of Fig. A10.1 Refraction through a rectangular glass
emergence e with the normal. slab
Measure the angle of
incidence i a n d a n g l e o f
emergence e with a protractor. Write the values of these angles
on the white paper sheet. Do you find some relation between ∠i
and ∠e ?

8. Extrapolate EF forward to meet the face CD of the glass slab at

O. Draw the perpendicular OL to the line GH.

9. Check if the emergent ray GH is parallel to the incident

ray EF along the original direction. It is laterally
deviated by a perpendicular distance OL. Measure
the lateral deviation OL = d and also the thickness of the
glass slab.

10. Repeat steps 2 to 9 by changing the angle of incidence.

11. Repeat the steps 2 to 10 by using glass slabs of different thickness.

Measure the lateral deviation and the thickness of the glass slab
each time. Also write the values of ∠i and ∠e on the white paper
sheet each time.

12. Record observations in tabular form with proper units. What

inference do you draw from your observations?

183

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

O BSERVATIONS
Least count of the protractor = ... (degree)
Least count of the metre scale = ... mm = ... cm

Table A 10.1 : Measuring the angle of incidence i, angle of emergence

e and lateral deviation d.

Thickness of Lateral devia-

Sl.
the Glass Angle of incidence i Angle of emergence e tion d 10–2 m
No. slab, t 10–2 m

(degree) (radians) (degree) (radians)

1 t1
2 t1
-- --
5 t1
6 t2
-- --
10 t2
11 t3
-- --

R ESULT
1. The ray of light emerging from a glass slab is parallel to the incident
ray direction, but is laterally deviated.
2. The lateral deviation of the emergent ray with respect to the
incident ray is directly proportional to the thickness of the
glass slab.

D ISCUSSION
1. The accuracy in the measurement of angles of incidence i and
emergence e and the lateral deviation d depends on how sharp
the pin tips are, and how careful you are in observing the tips of
the pins to lie along the same straight line. Take special care in
observing the tips of the pins, marking the pin pricks, drawing
the incident, refracted and emergent rays with a sharp pencil,
and measuring the angles i and e, accurately with a protractor.

184

24/04/2018
LABORATORY MANUAL

ACTIVITY 612
AIM
To observe diffraction of light due to a thin slit.

APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED

Two razor blades, one adhesive tape/cello-tape, source of light (electric
bulb/ laser pencil), a piece of black paper, two glass plats.

P RINCIPLE
When a beam of light passes through a
fine opening (aperture) or around a sharp
obstacle, it bends around corners of the
obstacle/aperture. The light beam
Glass plate
spreads and penetrates into the
geometrical shadow of the obstacle. This
Black paper phenomenon of bending of light around
fine openings/obstacles is called
diffraction and is one of the evidences in
favour of wave nature of light. It arises
because of the interference of light waves
Fig. A 12.1 A fine slit made by using two razor from different points of the same wave
blades, one glass plats and a piece of front. Two razor blades with their sharp
black paper. edges held parallel, quite close to each
other (separation being of the order of wavelength of light λ) form a
fine single slit (Fig. A 12.1). The diffraction pattern due to a single
slit consists of a central bright band, surrounded on both sides by
coloured bands (with electric bulb) and alternate dark and bright
bands (with laser pencil) of decreasing intensity and fringe width.

P ROCEDURE
1. Make a fine, single slit using razor blades. For this purpose, take a
glass plate and fix a black paper on top of it. Cut out a narrow slit in
the central part of the black paper. Place two razor blades, side by
side, quite close to each other over this slit as shown in Fig. A 12.1.

190
 ACTIVITY 12

2. Place a glowing clear electric lamp preferably with a straight

filament (or a laser pencil) at sufficient distance (about 4 to 8m)
behind the fine slit between the two sharp edges of the razor blades.
Observe the lamp through the slit. What do you find?
3. Alternatively, place the slit about 0.5m from the wall and the source
of light at a distance of about 15-20 cm behind the slit. Observe
the light falling on the wall.
4. Repeat the observations of steps 2 and 3 with a laser pencil. Note
the changes you observe.

R ESULT
Light waves incident on very fine apertures (openings) bend arround
corners and exhibit phenomenon of diffraction.

D ISCUSSION
1. The sharpness of diffraction fringes depends mainly on the
extreme fineness of the slit, made using razor blades, keeping
them quite close to each other.
2. Monochromatic light from a laser pencil is preferred over ordinary
electric bulb for obtaining better effect on the screen.
With ordinary light (an electric bulb) not many fringes are
observed clearly, while with a monochromatic source (laser
pencil) a large number of distinct bright and dark fringes are
observed for a reasonable width of the slit.

S
ELF ASSESSMENT
1. Hold two razor blades side by side so that nearer sharp edges
are parallel and quite close to each other. The two edges are
often not parallel to each other when held like this. Do you expect
the bands to become wider and/or closely spaced at a point/part
of the slit where the separation of the edges is less? Do you find
bands having some colours? Interpret your observations.
[Hint: The position of all the bands, except the central band,
depends on wavelength and they will show some colours. Use of
a filter for red or blue will make the bands/fringes clearer. You
can easily observe wider bands/fringes by using a red filter
compared to that by using a blue filter.
2. The diffraction pattern is observed for slit widths of the order of
wavelength λ of light used. Observe what happens when the slit
width is few times λ. Interpret the reason.
191

24/04/2018