VELAMMAL VIDHYASHRAM

SURAPET

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

ON
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

NAME : PRAJESH KUMAR A

CLASS : 12A3
ROLL NUMBER :

SSCE -2024 -2025

 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that, Prajesh kumar of class XII A3 has successfully

completed the project on the topic Wheatstone Bridge
under the guidance of Mr Vijoy Thomas in partial fulfillment of
physics practical examination conducted by SSCE, CBSE, New Delhi
for the academic year 2024 – 2025.

Signature of teacher in charge Signature of Internal Examiner

Signature of Principal Signature of External Examiner

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

In the accomplishment of this project successfully, many people have

bestowed upon me their blessings and the heart pledged support. So I am
utilizing this opportunity to thank all the people who have been concerned
with my project.

Primarily I would like to thank God Almighty for giving me the strength,
knowledge and good health to complete this project successfully.

Then I would like to thank the Principal of VelammalVidhyashram for the

continuous support and our Physics teacher whose whole hearted
guidance helped me to complete the project. The suggestions and
instructions given by them served as the major contribution in the
completion of this project.

Then I would like to thank my parents and friends who have given me
their valuable suggestions and guidance, that have been instrumental in
the completion of this project.

Signature of the Student

 TABLE OF CONTENT

S NO. TOPICS PAGE NO.

1 Introduction 5

2 Aim 5

3 Materials required 5

4 Theory 6

5 Procedure 8

6 Observation 9

7 Calculation 9

8 Conclusion 9

9 Precautions 9

10 Sources of error 9

11 Bibliography 10
INTRODUCTION
• Wheatstone bridge also known as the resistance bridge calculates 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
measurement.

• The wheat bridge was invented by Samuel hunter Christie in 1833 and improved and popularised
by Sir Charles Wheatstone in 1843. One of the Wheatstone bridge’s initial uses was for soil
analysis and comparison.

• The Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of null deflection, i.e. the ratio of their resistances
are equal and no current flows through the circuit. Under normal conditions, the bridge is in an
unbalanced condition where current flows through the galvanometer. The bridge is said to be in a
balanced condition when no current flows through the galvanometer. This condition can be
achieved by adjusting the known resistance and variable resistance

• A bridge circuit in its simplest form consists of network of four resistance arms forming a closed
circuit, with a dc source of current applied to two opposite junctions and a current detector
connected to the other two junctions. Wheatstone bridge is used for accurate measurement of
resistance. The circuit diagram of a typical Wheatstone bridge is given alongside.

AIM
To study and perform a experiment to measure the unknown resistance using Wheatstone bridge.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
• Three medium resistors

• DC source
• Galvanometer

• Connecting wires

• Key

• Rheostat/Variable resistor
THEORY

→ CONSTRUCTION OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is constructed with two serial and two parallel resistances,
connected through voltage supply and ground terminals. The circuit thus consists of two input and
two output terminals along with four resistors that are placed to form a diamond shape.

The Wheatstone Bridge consists of four arms with four resistances connected (P, Q, R and S).

• The points ac are connected with a source emf (E) and points bd are connected with a
galvanometer, also known as a null detector.

• The resistances P and R are in series connection with each other, and so are S and Q. But
the combination of P and R resistances is in a parallel connection with resistances S and
Q.

• The value of resistance through P and Q is known. S is standard resistance, whereas R

indicates the unknown resistance to be measured.

• Currents I1, I3, I2 and I4 flow through resistors P, Q, R and S, respectively.

• When the ratio of these resistances is equal, no current flows through the galvanometer.
This is said to be the balanced condition of the Wheatstone Bridge.
 • On the other hand, a potential difference between points b and d causes a current to flow
through the galvanometer. This is called the unstable condition of the Wheatstone bridge.

→WHEATSTONE BRIDGE FORMULA

As stated above, during the balanced condition of the Wheatstone Bridge, the ratio of resistance
is equal. This can be shown in mathematical terms as below:

P/Q = R/S

S = QR/P

Where,

• S is the unknown resistance

• R is the standard arm of the bridge
• P and Q are the ratio arms of the bridge

→DERIVATION OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE FORMULA

The current through the galvanometer, at the balanced condition of the bridge, is zero, which
is IG = 0. Current through arms AB and BC is denoted by I1 Current through arms of AD as
well as DC is I2 As per the circuital law of Kirchhoff, voltage drop through the closed loop is 0.
The application of this law in the ABDA loop results in the dropping of the sum of voltage
through the individual arms of the loop which is 0.

I1P – I2R = 0
I1/I2 = R/P

Applying Kirchhoff’s law to the loop CBDC,

I1Q−I2S=0

I1/I2 = S/Q

Comparing conditions,

R/P = S/Q

P/Q = R/S

S = QR/P

PROCEDURE

→ Measure the resistance of the two known resistors(Say P and R) and connect them in the form
of diamond such that the unknown resistance(say S) is connected in series with the variable
resistor(say Q) as shown in the diagram.

→ Connect the Galvanometer with the terminals of two resistors and connect the DC source with
the terminals of the other two resistors.

→ Connect the unknown resistance(S) in series with the variable resistor(R).

→ Connect key with the Electromotive force source in the circuit.

→ Increase or Decrease the resistance of the variable resistor until the Galvanometer shows null
deflection.

→ Note down the variable resistor's resistance when galvanometer shows null deflection.
→ Now Substitute all the values in the formula: S = QR/P to find the unknown resistance S.

OBSERVATION
When the circuit is unbalanced a non null deflection is observed in the galvanometer. However,
on increasing or decreasing the resistance of the rheostat in such a way that the circuit becomes
balanced a null deflection is observed.

S.No Known Known Variable Galvanometer Balance

Resistance Resistance resistance Deflection(mA) Condition(Yes/No)
P(Ω) Q(Ω) R(Ω)

1 10 10 10 Not zero No

2 10 10 15 Not zero No

3 10 10 20 Not Zero No

4 10 10 25 Not zero No

5 10 10 50 Zero Yes

CALCULATION
Since at observation 5 the galvanometer deflection is zero , we can use the Wheatstone bridge
formula to find the unknown resistance.

S = QR/P = 10(50)/10 = 50Ω

CONCLUSION
At balanced condition, the galvanometer shows null deflection; this infers that the net current
through the galvanometer is zero and no circulation of current through the galvanometer takes
place.This property can be used to find the unknown resistance as did in this project.

PRECAUTIONS
→ Clean the connecting wires properly.

→ Make sure all cuts on wire are covered with electrical tap

→ All connections should be neat and tight.

SOURCES OF ERROR
→ Connections may not be correct

→ The key may not be plugged in properly.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.www.google.com

2.NCERT Class 12th Physics Textbook Part 1

3.www.eeeproject.com

4.www.byjus.com

5.www.slideshare.net