Physics Project Wheat Stone Bridge
Physics Project Wheat Stone Bridge
INTRODUCTION:
Wheatstone bridge, also known as the resistance bridge, it helps in
calculating the unknown resistance by balancing two legs of the
bridge circuit. One leg includes the component of unknown
resistance.
The Wheatstone Bridge Circuit comprises two known resistors, one
unknown resistor and one variable resistor connected in the form of
a bridge. This bridge is very reliable as it gives accurate
measurements.
The Wheatstone bridge was invented by Samuel Hunter Christie
(sometimes spelled "Christy") in 1833 and improved and popularized
by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1843. One of the Wheatstone bridge's
initial uses was for soil analysis and comparison.
THEORY :
Although today digital multimeters provide the simplest way to
measure a resistance. The Wheatstone Bridge can be used to
compare an unknown resistance to that of a known resistance to
determine its value allowing very low values of resistances down in
the milli-Ohms (mΩ) range to be measured.
The Wheatstone bridge (or resistance bridge) circuit can be used in a
number of applications and today, with modern operational
amplifiers we can use the Wheatstone Bridge Circuit to interface
various transducers and sensors to these amplifier circuits.
The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than two simple
series-parallel arrangements of resistances connected between a
voltage supply terminal and ground producing zero voltage
difference between the two parallel branches when balanced. A
Wheatstone bridge circuit has two input terminals and two output
terminals consisting of four resistors configured in a familiar
diamond-like arrangement as shown. This is typical of how the
Wheatstone bridge is drawn.
The Wheatstone bridge is the setup that is used for measuring the
unknown resistance. Wheatstone bridge consists of four arms known
as resistors and the ratio of the two of these resistors is kept at a
fixed value. The remaining two arms are balanced, one of them is an
unknown resistor while the other resistance of the other arm can be
varied.
The voltage at point C, which is also the voltage drop across the
lower resistor, R2 is calculated as:
VR2 = I × R2 = 0.4A × 20Ω = 8 volts
Then we can see that the source voltage VS is divided among
the two series resistors in direct proportion to their resistances
as VR1 = 4V and VR2 = 8V. This is the principle of voltage division,
producing what is commonly called a potential divider circuit or
voltage divider network.
Now if we add another series resistor circuit using the same resistor
values in parallel with the first we would have the following circuit.
As the second series circuit has the same resistive values of the first,
the voltage at point D, which is also the voltage drop across
resistor, R4 will be the same at 8 volts, with respect to zero (battery
negative), as the voltage is common and the two resistive networks
are the same.
But something else equally as important is that the voltage
difference between point C and point D will be zero volts as both
points are at the same value of 8 volts as: C = D = 8 volts, then the
voltage difference is: 0 volts
When this happens, both sides of the parallel bridge network are
said to be balanced because the voltage at point C is the same value
as the voltage at point D with their difference being zero.
Now let’s consider what would happen if we reversed the position of
the two resistors, R3 and R4 in the second parallel branch with
respect to R1 and R2.
With resistors, R3 and R4 reversed, the same current flows through
the series combination and the voltage at point D, which is also the
voltage drop across resistor, R4 will be:
VR4 = 0.4A × 10Ω = 4 volts
Now with VR4 having 4 volts dropped across it, the voltage difference
between points C and D will be 4 volts as: C = 8 volts and D = 4 volts.
Then the difference this time is: 8 – 4 = 4 volts
The result of swapping the two resistors is that both sides or “arms”
of the parallel network are different as they produce different
voltage drops. When this happens the parallel network is said to
be unbalanced as the voltage at point C is at a different value to the
voltage at point D.
Then we can see that the resistance ratio of these two parallel
arms, ACB and ADB, results in a voltage difference between 0
volts (balanced) and the maximum supply voltage (unbalanced), and
this is the basic principal of the Wheatstone Bridge Circuit.
So we can see that a Wheatstone bridge circuit can be used to
compare an unknown resistance RX with others of a known value, for
example, R1 and R2, have fixed values, and R3 could be variable. If we
connected a voltmeter, ammeter or classically a galvanometer
between points C and D, and then varied resistor, R3 until the meters
read zero, would result in the two arms being balanced and the value
of RX, (substituting R4) known as shown.
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE CIRCUIT :
As shown in
the diagram, the formula for calculating the unknown resistance (i.e.
R4) is given by the equation:
[eq 2]
Applying Kirchhoff’s loop rule to the second closed loop CBDC.
I2 x R4 + 0 – I1 x R3= 0 [eq. 3]
From equation 3, we can say that:
[eq 4]
From equation 2 and 4, we get
Hence:
1. Manual Adjustment
Need for Manual Calibration: The bridge requires manual adjustment
of the variable resistor R3 to achieve balance. This can be time
consuming and may introduce human error, especially in applications
requiring frequent measurements.
2. Sensitivity to Temperature
4. Component Tolerances
5.Limited Range
7. Galvanometer Sensitivity
diamond shape.
Two arms (usually diagonally opposite) have known resistances
B).
A galvanometer (G) is connected across the other diagonal (points C
and D).
Balancing Condition:
We want to find the value of the unknown resistance (Rx) when the
bridge is balanced. In a balanced state, no current flows through the
galvanometer (IG = 0).
Applying Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL):
We'll use KCL at two junctions (points B and D) to derive the
balancing condition.
1. Junction B: The current entering point B from source V (I1) splits into
two branches - one flowing through R1 (I1a) and another through Rx
(I1b). Applying KCL: I1 = I1a + I1b
2. Junction D: Similarly, the current reaching point D splits into two
branches - one flowing through R2 (I2a) and another through Rv
(I2b). Applying KCL: I2 = I2a + I2b
Applying Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL):
Since the bridge is balanced (no current through the galvanometer),
the potential difference across points C and D is zero. We can apply
KVL to the loop formed by points A, B, C, and D.
Voltage drop across AB (VR1) + Voltage drop across BC (VRx) =
Voltage drop across AD (VR2) + Voltage drop across DC (VRv)
As V = constant voltage source: VR1 = VR2
Since I = V/R (Ohm's Law):
VR1 = I1a * R1
VRx = I1b * Rx
VR2 = I2a * R2
VRv = I2b * Rv
Substituting and rearranging:
I1a * R1 = I2a * R2
Combining KCL and KVL Equations:
(I1 - I1b) * R1 = (I2 - I2b) * R2
From KCL at B and D: I1b = I2a and I2b = I1a
Substituting:
I1 * R1 = I2 * R2
Balancing Condition:
Dividing both sides by I1 * I2 (assuming non-zero currents):
R1/R2 = Rx/Rv
Therefore, when R1/R2 = Rx/Rv, the bridge is balanced, and no
current flows through the galvanometer. This equation allows us to
solve for the unknown resistance (Rx) by adjusting the variable
resistance (Rv) until the galvanometer shows zero deflection.
Precautions :
When using a Wheatstone bridge, several precautions should be
taken to ensure accurate and reliable measurements. Here are key
precautions to consider:
1. Precision of Components:
2. Temperature Stability:
Ensure that the resistors and other components are stable over the
temperature range in which the bridge is used. Temperature
variations can cause resistance changes, leading to measurement
errors.
3. Connection Quality:
Use proper and secure connections to avoid contact resistance,
which can affect the accuracy of the bridge. Poor connections can
introduce additional resistance, skewing the results.
5. Zero Adjustment:
9. Environmental Conditions:
Source of error :
Several potential sources of error can affect the accuracy of
measurements taken with a Wheatstone bridge. Here are the main
sources:
1. Resistor Tolerances:
2. Temperature Effects:
3. Contact Resistance:
4. Lead Resistance:
Over time, resistors and other components may drift from their
initial values due to aging. Regular calibration is needed to
compensate for this drift.