Wheatstone bridge circuit
A Wheatstone bridge is an example of voltage dividers with two voltage dividers in parallel. The "bridge" is the difference in p.d. between the two voltage dividers.
Although not explicitly part of the Higher Physics course it is an application of voltage divider circuits.
A Wheatstone bridge circuit can be used to find the resistance of a resistor or it can be used with sensors, such as thermistors, to make measurements.
The A resistor where the value of the resistance can be changed., \({R_4}\), is adjusted until the voltmeter reads zero volts. At this point we say that the bridge is balanced.
If we know the value of three of the resistors in a balanced Wheatstone bridge circuit we can calculate the value of the fourth resistor.
If a Wheatstone bridge is balanced the voltmeter will have a zero reading.
Question
If the supply voltage \({V_S}\) of a balanced Wheatstone bridge is doubled, will the bridge still be balanced?
Yes, although the voltage on one voltage divider is doubled the other will also be double so the difference will still be zero and the bridge will be balanced.
Question
The Wheatstone bridge shown above is balanced.
If \({R_1} = 220\Omega\), \(R_{2} = 550\Omega\), and \(R_{4} = 1000\Omega\), what is the value of \(R_{3}\)?
\(\frac{{{R_1}}}{{{R_2}}} = \frac{{{R_3}}}{{{R_4}}}\)
\(\frac{{220}}{{550}} = \frac{{{R_3}}}{{1000}}\)
\(R_{3} = \frac{{220 \times 1000}}{{550}}\)
The resistance of \({R_3}\) is \(400\Omega\)