0
$\begingroup$

In an ideal voltmeter there is infinite resistance so because of which no current is flowing through it and the voltage reading is not affected. The ohm's law stated that

V = I * R

In an ideal voltmeter I = 0 so V = 0 but the voltmeter does show some reading which defies the ohm's law. Please tell me how is this possible.

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
2

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
2
$\begingroup$

It is possible to have a perfect voltmeter: You can use a potentiometer with a current meter but you also need something with a standard voltage (standard cell, whose emf is larger than what you are trying to measure). It is a null method, that works by varying the sliding contact on the potentiometer until a zero current is registered. Zero current means no pd across an internal resistance so no "lost volts". Have a look here for more details.

Apparently "This null balance measuring method is still important in electrical metrology and standards work and is also used in other areas of electronics".

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
0
$\begingroup$

firstly V=IR is not ohm's law. it is the definition of resistance. ohms law states that V is proportional to I where R is a constant for ohmic conductors.

in a voltmeter a very tiny current flows through a large resistance and a much larger current flows through the device which has a smaller resistance such that V=iR=Ir

for ideal voltmeters the R tends to infinity whereas i tends to 0 but the product is still defined

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
1
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ The proper definition of resistance would be R=dV/dI (no matter how many textbooks teach this wrong). R=V/I is only useful when Ohm's law actually holds. Let us restate this, again, in a proper voltmeter there is no ohmic current flow. A proper voltmeter is either a potentiometric bridge trimmed to zero OR it's a device that behaves like a capacitor. $\endgroup$
    – CuriousOne
    May 28, 2016 at 8:42
-1
$\begingroup$

An ideal voltmeter is made from a galvanometer connected to a resistor ,whose resistance is considered to be infinitely big, in series. But in practical life you can never achieve this because ....well... you can never reach infinity.

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
5
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ That's not how good voltmeters work. They never worked this way, that's just the high school version of it that is being taught by teachers who don't know better. $\endgroup$
    – CuriousOne
    May 28, 2016 at 8:20
  • $\begingroup$ I completely agree with you but knowledge is supposed to be gained step by step....you cannot just thrust in high levels of facts into an unnurtured brain. $\endgroup$
    – Zeeshan Ali
    May 28, 2016 at 9:35
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ The OP gains nothing from you giving him false information about what a voltmeter is, which is not even "a high level fact". Do it right or don't do it. $\endgroup$
    – CuriousOne
    May 28, 2016 at 9:56
  • $\begingroup$ Clearly you are not a teacher........ $\endgroup$
    – Zeeshan Ali
    May 28, 2016 at 10:01
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ That's true, I am merely a person who actually knows how a voltmeter works. :-) $\endgroup$
    – CuriousOne
    May 28, 2016 at 10:04

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.