Galvanometer vs Ammeter — Difference (with Table)

Galvanometer vs Ammeter compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Physics, free and no sign-up.

Galvanometer vs Ammeter — Difference (with Table)

Galvanometer vs Ammeter compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Physics, free and no sign-up.

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TL;DR: Galvanometer vs Ammeter compared side by side — a 6-row comparison table and 4 key points. Class 10 Physics, free and no sign-up.

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The main difference between Galvanometer and Ammeter: A galvanometer is a sensitive instrument that detects small currents using a moving coil in a magnetic field. An ammeter is a modified galvanometer that me

Galvanometer vs Ammeter — Comparison Table

BasisGalvanometerAmmeter
SensitivityExtremely sensitive to small currentsLess sensitive; measures larger currents
Current RangeMeasures microamperesMeasures amperes or milliamperes
Internal ResistanceHigh internal resistanceVery low internal resistance
Modification MethodNo modification from basic designShunt resistance added in parallel
ConnectionNot typically used directly in circuitsConnected in series in circuits
AccuracyHighly accurate for small currentsAccurate for larger current measurements

Key Points

  • A galvanometer can be converted into an ammeter by adding a shunt
  • An ammeter should have very low resistance to not affect circuit current
  • A galvanometer has high resistance and is not suitable for direct current measurement
  • The shunt carries most of the current while galvanometer carries a small fraction

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