4.10 THE MOVING COIL GALVANOMETER Currents and voltages in circuits have been discussed extensively in Chapters 3. But how do we measure them? How do we claim that current in a circuit is 1.5 A or the voltage drop across a resistor is 1.2 V? Figure 4.20 exhibits a very useful instrument for this purpose: the moving coil galvanometer (MCG). It is a device whose principle can be understood on the basis of our discussion in Section 4.9. The galvanometer consists of a coil, with many turns, free to rotate about a fixed axis (Fig. 4.20), in a uniform radial magnetic field. There is a cylindrical soft iron core which not only makes the field radial but also increases the strength of the magnetic field. When a current flows through the coil, a torque acts on it. This torque is given by Eq. (4.20) to be 129 τ = NI AB Reprint 2025-26 Physics where the symbols have their usual meaning. Since the field is radial by design, we have taken sin θ = 1 in the above expression for the torque. The magnetic torque NIAB tends to rotate the coil. A spring Sp provides a counter torque kφ that balances the magnetic torque NIAB; resulting in a steady angular deflection φ. In equilibrium kφ = NI AB where k is the torsional constant of the spring; i.e. the restoring torque per unit twist. The deflection φ is indicated on the scale by a pointer attached to the spring. We have  NAB  φ =  k  I (4.26) The quantity in brackets is a constant for a given galvanometer. The galvanometer can be used in a number of ways. It can be used as a detector to check if a current is FIGURE 4.20 The moving coil flowing in the circuit. We have come across this usage galvanometer. Its elements are in the Wheatstone’s bridge arrangement. In this usage described in the text. Depending on the neutral position of the pointer (when no current is the requirement, this device can be flowing through the galvanometer) is in the middle of used as a current detector or for the scale and not at the left end as shown in Fig.4.20. measuring the value of the current Depending on the direction of the current, the pointer’s (ammeter) or voltage (voltmeter). deflection is either to the right or the left. The galvanometer cannot as such be used as an ammeter to measure the value of the current in a given circuit. This is for two reasons: (i) Galvanometer is a very sensitive device, it gives a full- scale deflection for a current of the order of µA. (ii) For measuring currents, the galvanometer has to be connected in series, and as it has a large resistance, this will change the value of the current in the circuit. To overcome these difficulties, one attaches a small resistance rs, called shunt resistance, in parallel with the galvanometer coil; so that most of the current passes through the shunt. The resistance of this arrangement is, ≃ RG rs / (RG + rs) rs if RG >> rs If rs has small value, in relation to the resistance of the rest of the circuit Rc, the effect of introducing the measuring instrument is also small and negligible. This arrangement is schematically shown in Fig. 4.21. FIGURE 4.21 The scale of this ammeter is calibrated and then graduated to read off Conversion of a the current value with ease. We define the current sensitivity of the galvanometer (G) to galvanometer as the deflection per unit current. From Eq. (4.26) this an ammeter by the current sensitivity is, introduction of a NAB φshunt resistance rs of = (4.27) very small value in I k parallel. A convenient way for the manufacturer to increase the sensitivity is to increase the number of turns N. We choose galvanometers having 130 sensitivities of value, required by our experiment. Reprint 2025-26 Moving Charges and Magnetism The galvanometer can also be used as a voltmeter to measure the voltage across a given section of the circuit. For this it must be connected in parallel with that section of the circuit. Further, it must draw a very small current, otherwise the voltage measurement will disturb the original set up by an amount which is very large. Usually we like to keep the disturbance due to the measuring device below one per cent. To ensure this, a large resistance R is connected in series with the galvanometer. This arrangement is schematically depicted in Fig.4.22. Note that the resistance of the voltmeter is now, FIGURE 4.22 RG + R ≃ R : large Conversion of a The scale of the voltmeter is calibrated to read off the voltage value galvanometer (G) to a with ease. We define the voltage sensitivity as the deflection per unit voltmeter by the introduction of avoltage. From Eq. (4.26), resistance R of large φ  NAB  I  NAB  1 value in series. = = (4.28) V  k  V  k  R An interesting point to note is that increasing the current sensitivity may not necessarily increase the voltage sensitivity. Let us take Eq. (4.27) which provides a measure of current sensitivity. If N → 2N, i.e., we double the number of turns, then φ φ → 2 I I Thus, the current sensitivity doubles. However, the resistance of the galvanometer is also likely to double, since it is proportional to the length of the wire. In Eq. (4.28), N →2N, and R →2R, thus the voltage sensitivity, φ φ → V V remains unchanged. So in general, the modification needed for conversion of a galvanometer to an ammeter will be different from what is needed for converting it into a voltmeter. Example 4.12 In the circuit (Fig. 4.23) the current is to be measured. What is the value of the current if the ammeter shown (a) is a galvanometer with a resistance RG = 60.00 Ω; (b) is a galvanometer described in (a) but converted to an ammeter by a shunt resistance rs = 0.02 Ω; (c) is an ideal ammeter with zero resistance? EXAMPLE FIGURE 4.23 4.12 131 Reprint 2025-26 Physics Solution (a) Total resistance in the circuit is, RG + 3 = 63 Ω. Hence, I = 3/63 = 0.048 A. (b) Resistance of the galvanometer converted to an ammeter is, R G rs 60 Ω × 0. 02 Ω = ≃ 0.02Ω R G + rs ( 60 + 0 .02 )Ω 4.12 Total resistance in the circuit is, 0.02 Ω+ 3 Ω= 3.02 Ω. Hence, I = 3/3.02 = 0.99 A. (c) For the ideal ammeter with zero resistance, EXAMPLE I = 3/3 = 1.00 A SUMMARY 1. The total force on a charge q moving with velocity v in the presence of magnetic and electric fields B and E, respectively is called the Lorentz force. It is given by the expression: F = q (v × B + E) The magnetic force q (v × B) is normal to v and work done by it is zero. 2. A straight conductor of length l and carrying a steady current I experiences a force F in a uniform external magnetic field B, F = I l × B where|l| = l and the direction of l is given by the direction of the current. 3. In a uniform magnetic field B, a charge q executes a circular orbit in a plane normal to B. Its frequency of uniform circular motion is called the cyclotron frequency and is given by: q B νc = 2 π m This frequency is independent of the particle’s speed and radius. This fact is exploited in a machine, the cyclotron, which is used to accelerate charged particles. 4. The Biot-Savart law asserts that the magnetic field dB due to an element dl carrying a steady current I at a point P at a distance r from the current element is: r d l µ × 0 I dB = 3 r 4 π To obtain the total field at P, we must integrate this vector expression over the entire length of the conductor. 5. The magnitude of the magnetic field due to a circular coil of radius R carrying a current I at an axial distance x from the centre is Reprint 2025-26 Moving Charges and Magnetism 2 IR µ 0 B = 2 2 2( x + R )3/2 At the centre this reduces to µ0 I B = 2 R 6. Ampere’s Circuital Law: Let an open surface S be bounded by a loop B.d l = µ0 I where I refers to C. Then the Ampere’s law states that ∫CÑ the current passing through S. The sign of I is determined from the right-hand rule. We have discussed a simplified form of this law. If B is directed along the tangent to every point on the perimeter L of a closed curve and is constant in magnitude along perimeter then, BL = µ0 Ie where Ie is the net current enclosed by the closed circuit. 7. The magnitude of the magnetic field at a distance R from a long, straight wire carrying a current I is given by: µ0 I B = 2 π R The field lines are circles concentric with the wire. 8. The magnitude of the field B inside a long solenoid carrying a current I is B = µ0nI where n is the number of turns per unit length. 9. Parallel currents attract and anti-parallel currents repel. 10. A planar loop carrying a current I, having N closely wound turns, and an area A possesses a magnetic moment m where, m = N I A and the direction of m is given by the right-hand thumb rule : curl the palm of your right hand along the loop with the fingers pointing in the direction of the current. The thumb sticking out gives the direction of m (and A) When this loop is placed in a uniform magnetic field B, the force F on it is: F = 0 And the torque on it is, τ = m × B In a moving coil galvanometer, this torque is balanced by a counter- torque due to a spring, yielding kφ = NI AB where φ is the equilibrium deflection and k the torsion constant of the spring. 11. A moving coil galvanometer can be converted into a ammeter by introducing a shunt resistance rs, of small value in parallel. It can be converted into a voltmeter by introducing a resistance of a large value in series. 133 Reprint 2025-26 Physics Physical Quantity Symbol Nature Dimensions Units Remarks Permeability of free µ0 Scalar [MLT –2A–2] T m A–1 4π × 10–7 T m A–1 space Magnetic Field B Vector [M T –2A–1] T (telsa) Magnetic Moment m Vector [L2A] A m2 or J/T Torsion Constant k Scalar [M L2T –2] N m rad–1 Appears in MCG POINTS TO PONDER 1. Electrostatic field lines originate at a positive charge and terminate at a negative charge or fade at infinity. Magnetic field lines always form closed loops. 2. The discussion in this Chapter holds only for steady currents which do not vary with time. When currents vary with time Newton’s third law is valid only if momentum carried by the electromagnetic field is taken into account. 3. Recall the expression for the Lorentz force, F = q (v × B + E) This velocity dependent force has occupied the attention of some of the greatest scientific thinkers. If one switches to a frame with instantaneous velocity v, the magnetic part of the force vanishes. The motion of the charged particle is then explained by arguing that there exists an appropriate electric field in the new frame. We shall not discuss the details of this mechanism. However, we stress that the resolution of this paradox implies that electricity and magnetism are linked phenomena (electromagnetism) and that the Lorentz force expression does not imply a universal preferred frame of reference in nature. 4. Ampere’s Circuital law is not independent of the Biot-Savart law. It can be derived from the Biot-Savart law. Its relationship to the Biot-Savart law is similar to the relationship between Gauss’s law and Coulomb’s law. EXERCISES 4.1 A circular coil of wire consisting of 100 turns, each of radius 8.0 cm carries a current of 0.40 A. What is the magnitude of the magnetic field B at the centre of the coil? 4.2 A long straight wire carries a current of 35 A. What is the magnitude of the field B at a point 20 cm from the wire? 4.3 A long straight wire in the horizontal plane carries a current of 50 A in north to south direction. Give the magnitude and direction of B 134 at a point 2.5 m east of the wire. Reprint 2025-26 Moving Charges and Magnetism

4.10 Two moving coil meters, M1 and M2 have the following particulars: R1 = 10 Ω, N1 = 30, A1 = 3.6 × 10–3 m2, B1 = 0.25 T R2 = 14 Ω, N2 = 42, A2 = 1.8 × 10–3 m2, B2 = 0.50 T (The spring constants are identical for the two meters). Determine the ratio of (a) current sensitivity and (b) voltage sensitivity of M2 and M1.

3.4 OHM’S LAW A basic law regarding flow of currents was discovered by G.S. Ohm in 1828, long before the physical mechanism responsible for flow of currents was discovered. Imagine a conductor through which a current I is flowing and let V be the potential difference between the ends of the conductor. Then Ohm’s law states that V µ I or, V = R I (3.3) where the constant of proportionality R is called the resistance of the conductor. The SI units of resistance is ohm, and is denoted by the symbol W. The resistance R not only depends on the material of the conductor but also on the dimensions of the conductor. The dependence of R on the dimensions of the conductor can easily be determined as follows. FIGURE 3.2 Consider a conductor satisfying Eq. (3.3) to be in the form of a slab of Illustrating the length l and cross sectional area A [Fig. 3.2(a)]. Imagine placing two such relation R = rl/A for a rectangular slabidentical slabs side by side [Fig. 3.2(b)], so that the length of the of length l and areacombination is 2l. The current flowing through the combination is the of cross-section A. same as that flowing through either of the slabs. If V is the potential difference across the ends of the first slab, then V is also the potential 83difference across the ends of the second slab since the second slab is Reprint 2025-26 Physics identical to the first and the same current I flows through both. The potential difference across the ends of the combination is clearly sum of the potential difference across the two individual slabs and hence equals 2V. The current through the combination is I and the resistance of the combination RC is [from Eq. (3.3)], 2V R C = = 2 R (3.4) I since V/I = R, the resistance of either of the slabs. Thus, doubling the length of a conductor doubles the(1787–1854) resistance. In general, then resistance is proportional to length, R ∝ l (3.5)OHM Georg Simon Ohm (1787– Next, imagine dividing the slab into two by cutting it 1854) German physicist, lengthwise so that the slab can be considered as a professor at Munich. Ohm combination of two identical slabs of length l, but each was led to his law by anSIMON having a cross sectional area of A/2 [Fig. 3.2(c)]. analogy between the For a given voltage V across the slab, if I is the current conduction of heat: the through the entire slab, then clearly the current flowing electric field is analogous to the temperature gradient, through each of the two half-slabs is I/2. Since theGEORG and the electric current is potential difference across the ends of the half-slabs is V, analogous to the heat flow. i.e., the same as across the full slab, the resistance of each of the half-slabs R1 is V V R1 = = 2 = 2 R. (3.6) ( I /2) I Thus, halving the area of the cross-section of a conductor doubles the resistance. In general, then the resistance R is inversely proportional to the cross-sectional area, 1 R ∝ (3.7) A Combining Eqs. (3.5) and (3.7), we have l R ∝ (3.8) A and hence for a given conductor l R = ρ (3.9) A where the constant of proportionality r depends on the material of the conductor but not on its dimensions. r is called resistivity. Using the last equation, Ohm’s law reads I ρl V = I × R = (3.10) A Current per unit area (taken normal to the current), I/A, is called current density and is denoted by j. The SI units of the current density are A/m2. Further, if E is the magnitude of uniform electric field in the conductor whose length is l, then the potential difference V across its 84 ends is El. Using these, the last equation reads Reprint 2025-26 Current Electricity E l = j r l or, E = j r (3.11) The above relation for magnitudes E and j can indeed be cast in a vector form. The current density, (which we have defined as the current through unit area normal to the current) is also directed along E, and is also a vector j (º j E/E). Thus, the last equation can be written as, E = jr (3.12) or, j = s E (3.13) where s º1/r is called the conductivity. Ohm’s law is often stated in an equivalent form, Eq. (3.13) in addition to Eq.(3.3). In the next section, we will try to understand the origin of the Ohm’s law as arising from the characteristics of the drift of electrons.