Viva Voce Questions and Answers for Class 12 Physics Practical

Experiments

Section A: Electricity

1. Resistance Using Potential Difference vs Current Graph

Q1. What is Ohm's Law? How is it applied in this experiment?

A1. Ohm's Law states that the current (I) passing through a conductor is directly
proportional to the potential difference (V) across its ends, provided the temperature and
physical conditions remain constant. It is mathematically expressed as V = IR. In this
experiment, we measure V and I, plot a graph of V vs I, and calculate the resistance as the
slope of the graph.

Q2. Why do we use a graph to determine resistance?

A2. A graph provides a visual representation of the relationship between V and I, making it
easier to identify linearity and calculate resistance accurately from the slope.

Q3. What is the relationship between potential difference and current for an ohmic
conductor?
A3. For an ohmic conductor, V is directly proportional to I, resulting in a straight-line graph
passing through the origin.

Q4. How can you calculate resistance from the graph?

A4. The slope of the V-I graph gives the resistance. Slope = R = ΔV/ΔI.

Q5. What are the possible sources of error in this experiment?

A5. Common errors include poor connections, fluctuations in the power supply, inaccurate
readings from the ammeter/voltmeter, and resistance of the connecting wires.

2. Resistance Using Meter Bridge

Q1. What is the principle of a meter bridge?

A1. The meter bridge works on the principle of a balanced Wheatstone bridge, where the
ratio of resistances in one branch equals the ratio in the other branch.

Q2. Why is it important to ensure a null point during the experiment?

A2. The null point ensures no current flows through the galvanometer, indicating a balanced
bridge. This allows accurate determination of the unknown resistance.

Q3. How does temperature affect the resistance of the wire?

A3. Resistance increases with temperature for metallic conductors, as increased
temperature causes more collisions between electrons and atoms.

Q4. Why do we use a standard resistor?

A4. A standard resistor with a known value is used to compare and calculate the unknown
resistance.

Q5. What precautions should be taken while performing this experiment?

A5. Ensure tight connections, avoid parallax errors in meter scale readings, use wires with
negligible resistance, and prevent overheating of the wire.

3. Resistance of a Galvanometer by Half-Deflection Method

Q1. What is a galvanometer, and what is its principle of operation?

A1. A galvanometer is a device used to detect and measure small currents. It works on the
principle that a current-carrying coil placed in a magnetic field experiences a torque,
causing the coil to rotate.

Q2. Explain the half-deflection method.

A2. In the half-deflection method, a shunt resistance is added in parallel to the
galvanometer, reducing its deflection by half.

Q3. What is the figure of merit of a galvanometer, and why is it important?

A3. The figure of merit is the current required to produce a unit deflection in the
galvanometer. It is important for determining the sensitivity of the galvanometer.

Q4. How do you convert a galvanometer into an ammeter or voltmeter?

A4. To convert a galvanometer into an ammeter, a low-resistance shunt is connected in
parallel. To convert it into a voltmeter, a high resistance is connected in series.

4. Conversion of Galvanometer into Voltmeter

Q1. How is a galvanometer converted into a voltmeter?

A1. A galvanometer is converted into a voltmeter by connecting a high resistance in series
with it. The total resistance ensures the galvanometer can measure larger potential
differences without exceeding its full-scale deflection.

Q2. Why is a high resistance used?

A2. A high resistance limits the current passing through the galvanometer, protecting it
from damage and ensuring accurate voltage measurements.

Q3. What is the formula for the series resistance needed?

A3. R = V/Ig - G, where V is the desired voltage range, Ig is the galvanometer's full-scale
current, and G is the resistance of the galvanometer.

Q4. How do you verify the conversion?

A4. Verification is done by using the converted voltmeter to measure the potential
difference across a known resistor and comparing it with theoretical calculations.

Section B: Optics and Semiconductors

1. Focal Length of a Convex Lens Using u-v Graph

Q1. What is the lens formula, and how is it used here?

Q2. Why is it better to use the 1/u, 1/v, over uv graph graph?

Q3. What precautions should be taken?

A3. Use a sharp-edged object, ensure accurate measurement of distances, and avoid
parallax errors when aligning the optical bench.

2. Angle of Minimum Deviation Using a Prism

Q1. What is the angle of minimum deviation?

A1. The angle of minimum deviation is the smallest angle by which light is deviated while
passing through a prism when the angle of incidence equals the angle of emergence.

Q2. How is it determined experimentally?

A2. By plotting a graph between the angle of incidence and the angle of deviation, the
minimum point on the curve represents the angle of minimum deviation.

Q3. What is the formula for the refractive index of the prism material?

3. Refractive Index of a Liquid Using a Convex Lens

Q1. What is the principle behind this experiment?

A1. The apparent focal length of the combination of a convex lens and liquid is used to
calculate the refractive index of the liquid.

Q2. What is the formula for the refractive index?

Q3. How do you determine the apparent focal length?
A3. The image distance is measured when the liquid and convex lens combination is used,
and focal length is calculated using the lens formula.

4. I-V Characteristics of a PN Junction Diode

Q1. What do you mean by forward and reverse bias?

A1. In forward bias, the positive terminal of the battery is connected to the p-side, and the
negative to the n-side, allowing current to flow. In reverse bias, the connections are
reversed, and no significant current flows.

Q2. What does the I-V curve of a diode indicate?

A2. The I-V curve shows the relationship between current and voltage. In forward bias,
current increases rapidly after the threshold voltage. In reverse bias, current is negligible
until breakdown voltage.

Q3. Why is the threshold voltage important?

A3. The threshold voltage is the minimum voltage required to forward bias the diode and
allow significant current flow.

Activities

1. Refraction and Lateral Deviation Using a Glass Slab

Q1. What is refraction?

A1. Refraction is the bending of light as it passes from one medium to another with a
different refractive index.

Q2. What is lateral deviation?

A2. Lateral deviation is the perpendicular shift of the light ray as it passes through the glass
slab.

2. Diffraction of Light Using a Thin Slit

Q1. What is diffraction?

A1. Diffraction is the bending of light around the edges of an obstacle or slit, resulting in
interference patterns.

3. Identification of Diode, LED, Resistor, and Capacitor

Q1. How do you identify a diode?
A1. A diode has a black body with a silver stripe indicating the cathode. Using a multimeter,
it allows current in one direction.

Q2. How do you identify a capacitor?

A2. A capacitor has two leads, often marked with polarity, and its capacitance can be
measured using a multimeter.