scoresvideos

🔋college physics i – introduction review

key term - Wheatstone bridge

Citation:

Definition

A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit used to precisely measure unknown resistances by balancing two legs of a bridge circuit. It consists of four resistors, a voltage source, and a galvanometer.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

  1. The Wheatstone bridge is balanced when the ratio of the resistances in one leg is equal to the ratio in the other leg.
  2. In its balanced state, the current through the galvanometer is zero.
  3. It can be used to measure very small changes in resistance accurately.
  4. The general formula for balance is $\frac{R_1}{R_2} = \frac{R_3}{R_x}$, where $R_x$ is the unknown resistance.
  5. Adjusting either $R_1$, $R_2$, or $R_3$ will help achieve balance and determine the value of $R_x$.

Review Questions

"Wheatstone bridge" also found in: