THEORY OF BALLISTIC GALVANOMETER

B.G. consists of a rectangular coil of area A and number of turns N suspended in a uniform
magnetic field B. Let it carry a current I for a short interval of time dt. Then the momentary torque on
the coil is given by
→ FG
→ →
T = NΙ A × B
IJ
H K
As the plane of the coil is always parallel to B,
T=NIAB
Angular impulse given to the coil = change in angulr momentum of the coil.

z
T
/ /
i.e., N A B Ι d t = I ω, where I is the M.I of the coil about its axis of suspension and w is the angular
0
velocity of the coil.
NABq
1
⇒ N A B q = I ω ⇒ ω= ----- (1)
Ι
K.E of the coil = P.E of the suspension wire (As the coil rotates, the suspension wire get twisted and
hence K.E of the coil is converted into P.E of the wire)
1 / 2 1
i.e., Ι ω = C θ20 , where C is the couple per unit twist of the suspension wire and θ0 is the first
2 2
throw of the light spot on the scale.

Cθ20 N 2 A 2 B 2 q2 C θ2
⇒ ω2 = ⇒ =
I/ I/
2
I/

I / C θ 20 C2 I/ 2
⇒ q2 ≡ ⇒ q 2
= θ0 ----- (2)
N2 A 2 B2 N2 A 2 B2 C
The period of oscillation of the coil is given by

I/ I/
T = 2π ⇒ T2 = 4π 2
C C

I/ T2
⇒ = ------ (3)
C 4π2
Substituting (3) in (2), we get :
C2 T2 C T
q2 = θ20 ⇒ q= θ ------- (4)
NAB 2π 0
N2 A 2 B2 4 π 2

T q = K / θ0
or q = K θ0 or
2π

C /
where K = is a constant for the B.G and K is also a constant called the ballistic constant or
NAB
ballistic reduction factor of B.G.
Charge sensitivity of a B.G : It is defined as the deflection produced in the coil per unit change.
θ0
If a change q passing through B.G. produces a deflection θ0, then charge sensitivity = .
q

1
 C T
We have q = θ0
NAB 2π

θ0 NAB 2π
∴ =
q C T ------- (5)

Current sensitivity of a B.G :

It is defined as the deflection produced in the coil per unit current. If a current I through the coil
θ0
produces a deflection θ0, then current sensitivity = .
Ι
We have T = C θ0
⇒ N I A B = C θ0

θ0 N A B
⇒ = ------- (6)
Ι C

θ0 θ 2π
From (5) and (6), = 0 × ------- (7)
q I T

2π
∴ Charge sensitivity = — × Current sensitivity
T

Damping :
When the coil of B.G rotates on passing a current through it, the entire K.E of the coil is not used to
twist the suspension wire as a part of the K.E is used in overcoming damping force like air resistance,
electromagnetic damping etc., ∴ the deflection of the coil successively decreases. If θ1, θ3, θ5, ...... are the
deflections of the light spot to the left and θ2, θ4, θ6, ..... are the deflections to the right, then it is observed
that
θ1 θ2 θ3
= = = d, a constant.
θ2 θ3 θ4
‘d’ is called the decrement and logarithm of it is called logarithmic decrement, λ
λ = loge d or d = e λ.
θ1 θ2 θ3
= = = e λ.
θ2 θ3 θ4
For one complete oscillation (i.e., for two successive throws on the same side),
θ1 θ1 θ2
= × 2λ
θ 3 θ2 θ3 = d = e .
2

i.e., log . decrement for one oscillation = e 2 λ.

1 λ
∴ log . decrement for th of an oscillation = e 2 .
4
If θ0 is the first correct throw (without damping) on one side and θ is the first observed throw (with damping)
on the same side, then
θ0 λ λ FG λIJ
θ
=e 2 or θ0 = θ e 2
H
⇒ θ0 = θ 1+
2 K
------ (8)

2
 RSQ λ is small, higher order
T terms are neglected
Substituting (8) in (4), we get

q=
C T
θ 1+
FG
λ IJ
NAB 2π H
2 K
Thus the correction for the deflection due to damping is obtained.

Calculating λ
θ1 θ 2 θn
= = LL = = eλ
θ2 θ3 θn+1

θ1 θ θn
× 2 × LL × = enλ
θ2 θ3 θn+1

θ1 θ
i.e., = enλ ⇒ nλ = loge 1
θn+1 θn+1

θ1
⇒ n λ = 2.303 log
θ n+1

2.303 θ
⇒ λ = log 1 , where n gives the no. of successive throws on one side.
n θ n+1

θ1 θ θ
Ex. : For two successive throws on one side, × 2 = e2 λ = 1
θ2 θ3 θ3
θ1 θ
2λ = log ε = 2.303 log 1
θ3 θ3

1 θ
λ = × 2.303 log 1
2 θ3

Applications : (1) High resistance by leakage

The ckt connections are made as shown in the figure. With K open, K, is close for a known interval
of time so that C is charged to a value of q 0 . Then the capacitor is discharged immediately through the B.G
by closing K 2 and the corresponding throw θ0 is noted.

Then q0 = CV0 = K1 θ0 1+
FG l IJ ------ (1), where V
H 2K 0
is the p.d across the capacitor..

The capacitor is again charged to the same value q0. Then it is allowed to discharg through the
high resistance R for a known interval of time by pressive the key K. The remaining charge q on the
capacitor is discharged through the B.G by closing K 2 and the corresponding through θ is noted. Then
FG λIJ
H
q = CV = K 1 θ 1 +
2 K
, ------ (2), where V is the p.d across the capacitor..

q 0 V0 θ0
= =
q V θ

3
 t
−
We know that q = q 0 e RC for the discharge of a capacitor d is the time for which capacitor is discharged
through R.
q0 −
t
q0 t
θ t

⇒ = e RC
⇒ = e RC ⇒ 0 = e RC
q q θ
t θ
⇒ = log e 0
RC θ

t t
⇒ R = ⇒ R = e ————————
θ0 θ0
C log log e 2.303 C log ——
θ θ

θ0
A graph o log vs t is plotted slope is calculated.
θ
Slope
Then R = ————
2.303 C

θ0
log ——
θ