Noble International
School
Physics Investigatory Project
Session : 2024-25
Topic :
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Submitted To : Submitted by
:
Mr. Shiv Ram Jogi Amit
Singh Panwar
(XII)
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that AMIT SINGH
PANWAR of class XII SCIENCE has
completed his PHYSICS PROJECT under
my supervision. He has taken proper care
and shown utmost sincerity in completion of
this project.
I certify that this project is upto my
expectations and as per CBSE guidelines.
SIGNATURE: SIGNATURE: SIGNATURE:
Mr. Shiv Ram Jogi Mr. Sanjeev Parashar
External
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I, Amit Singh Panwar, student of class 12th
Science, would like to express my gratitude to
all those who have helped and supported me
throughout the completion of my Project.
Special thanks to my physics teacher “Mr.
Shiv Ram Jogi” for his guidance and constant
support in completion of this project.
I would also like to thank our principal “Mr.
Sanjeev Parashar” for providing us the
necessary infrastructure, facilities and giving
guidance for the successful completion of
this project.
CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. COMPONENTS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
3. CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION
4. WORKING PRINCIPLE OF WHEATSTONE
BRIDGE
5. EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
6. APPLICATIONS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
7. LIMITATIONS OF WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
8. SUMMARY
9. PRECAUTIONS
10. BIBILIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit design dating back
to the early 1800's. It is named for its most famous user, Sir
Charles Wheatstone. The Wheatstone bridge circuit was
invented by Samuel Hunter Christie (1784-1865) and first
described in 1833. Sir Wheatstone actually called the
circuit “Differential Resistance Measurer.”
The Wheatstone bridge is one of the most sensitive and
precise methods of measuring small changes in resistance.
This is possible through its use of transducers (devices which
change one form of energy into another, such as mechanical to
electrical or electrical to mechanical). The Wheatstone bridge
incorporates one or more electrical transducers that change
resistance as a result of an environmental change or input
(e.g., temperature, pressure, stress). This change is sensed by
the circuitry of the Wheatstone bridge which provides a
useable electrical output (voltage) representative of the input.
The Wheatstone bridge is widely used today in both macro-
sized and micro-sized sensors. This unit will describe the basics
of the Wheatstone bridge circuit.
COMPONENTS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
A resistor with an unknown resistance
value
Two Resistors (with know resistance
value)
Rheostat
Voltage / DC source
Galvanometer
Connecting wires
Circuit Construction
Construction of Wheatstone Bridge
CIRCUIT CONSTRUCTION
A Wheatstone Bridge is a bridge-type structure
having four resistors, three of known and one of
unknown value.
Here R1, R2, and R3 have known values among
which R2 is adjustable and finally Rx is the value to
be measured. Along with these resistances, a
galvanometer (Vg) is there between B and D, and a
DC supply between A and C.
WORKING PRINCIPLE OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Now according to the Wheatstone bridge principle if the ratio
of the two resistances (R1/R2) on one edge is equal to the ratio
of the two resistances (R3/Rx) on another edge then there will
be no flow of current between the midpoints of the two edges
of resistance. This condition of the bridge is known as the balanced
bridge condition.
In the balanced bridge condition, the current through the
galvanometer is zero and also the voltage difference between
the points B&D becomes zero, i.e., at both points, voltage level
would be the same.
Writing equations for the balance bridge condition would look
like: R1/R2=R3/Rx (or) R1*Rx=R2*R3
Thus, Rx=R3*(R2/R1)
This detection of zero current in galvanometer is of high
precision of known values, the unknown resistance can be
found with the highest rate of accuracy and precision.
In the Wheatstone bridge experiment, one resistor should
always be variable in order to obtain a balanced condition. The
circuit performs at its best when the regulated voltage source
is used, instead of the current with repelling characteristics.
EXAMPLE CIRCUIT
Let us consider the below circuit where the bridge
is in an unbalanced condition and we need to
calculate the voltage difference between Q1 and
Q2, i.e., volt and hence the value of R4 needed to
make the bridge balanced.
Example of Wheatstone bridge as per the voltage
division law,
Vq1=(R3/(R3+R1)) * Vs , where Vs=100 volts (voltage source)
Putting values of R3 =40 ohms, R1=50 ohms, and Vs=100 volts, we
get
Vq1= 44.4 volts
Similarly, Vq2 = (R4/(R4+R2)) * Vs
Putting the values, R4= 50ohms, R2= 100 ohms, and VS=100 volts,
we get
Vq2=33.3
Thus, volt can be found as,
Volt=Vq1-Vq2
So, volt=44.4 - 33.3 = 11.1 volts
Now to make the bridge balanced, we can find a suitable
value for R4 as done below:
R4 = R2 * (R3/R1)
Putting the values of R1, R2, and R3, we have
R4 = 100 * (40/50)
R4 = 80 volts
Therefore, R4 = 80 volts is the value of resistor which should
be used to make the bridge in a balanced condition.
APPLICATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Used in Light detecting devices.
For measuring the changes in the
pressure.
For measuring the changes in the
strain of the circuit.
Used for the sensing of mechanical
and electrical quantities.
Also, photo resistive devices use this
circuit.
Thermometers also use Wheatstone
bridges for the temperature
measurements which need to be
accurate.
Value like capacitance, inductance,
impedance, etc. can be measured with
some variations in the Wheatstone
bridge circuit.
LIMITATIONS OF
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
Along with all these advantages, there are a
few limitations of the Wheatstone bridge as
well, such as:
Reading may be inaccurate under
unbalanced conditions.
The range of measured resistance
varies from a few ohms to mega ohms.
Susceptibility for high DC current is not
there.
SUMMARY
Created in 1833, popularized in 1840s.
Wheatstone bridges are one of the best
methods of measuring resistance due to
the basic mathematical ratio involved.
Accurate standards with sensitive enough
voltmeter, measurements of resistance
within .05% can be reached.
Many calibration laboratories still use this
method today.
The Wheatstone Bridge is replaceable;
however, for its simplicity and versatility
the circuit is an indispensible piece of
technology.
PRECAUTIONS
Clean the connecting wires
properly.
Hold the jockey perpendicular to
the wire.
All connections should be neat and
tight.
BIBILIOGRAPHY
1. Websites
www.goole.com
www.wikipedia.org
2. Books
NCERT class XII
Comprehensive Practical Manual
