8.

EXPERIMENT E8: WHEATSTONE BRIDGE OBJECTIVES In this experiment, you can learn how to operate a (DC and AC) Wheatstone bridge. Finally, the resistance of an unknown resistor, the impedance of an unknown capacitor and inductor are determined. THEORY A Wheatstone bridge is shown in Fig. 8.1. There are four resistors. Using this method, one can determine the resistance of the unknown resistor if the other three are known.

Figure 8.1 DC Whaetstone bridge.

When the bridge is balanced, the current flow (or the voltage drop) through the galvanometer becomes zero. Hence the current flows through and are the same and the current flows through and are the same: (8.1.a) and

.
On the other hand, the voltage drops on drops on and become the same: and

(8.1.b) become the same and the voltage

(8.2.a)

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and

.
If Eqs. (8.1) and (8.2) are rearranged, the final relation is obtained:

(8.2.b)

(8.3)

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EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE 1. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. (8.2) using a slide wire.

Figure 8.2 Set-up for DC Wheatstone bridge measurements.

2. Using a known ( ) and an unknown resistor ( ), balance the bridge by moving the slider. The current flow (or the voltage drop) through the galvanometer must be zero. 3. Measure the and and lengths and record them on the table 8.1. The resistances of are proportional to their lengths:

(8.4)

where and , the resistivity and the cross sectional area respectively are the same for the slide wire. 4. Calculate the resistance of unknown resistor using the Eqs. (8.3) and (8.4). Record it on the table 8.1. 5. Calculate the percentage error (see appendix) and record it on the table 8.1. 6. Repeat all procedure for one more unknown resistor.

Part II: 7. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. (8.3) using a slide wire.

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Figure 8.3 Set-up for AC Wheatstone bridge measurements (for inductor).

8. Using a known ( ) and an unknown inductor ( ), balance the bridge by moving the slider. The current flow (or the voltage drop) through the galvanometer must be zero (a minimum value). 9. Measure the and lengths and record them on the table 8.2. 10. The inductive reactance of and are proportional to their inductances: (8.5) where is the angular frequency. 11. Calculate the inductance of unknown inductor using the Eqs. (8.5), (8.4) and (8.3). Record it on the table 8.2. 12. Calculate the percentage error (see appendix) and record it on the table 8.2. 13. Repeat all procedure for one more unknown inductor.

Part III: 14. Connect the circuit as shown in Fig. (8.4) using a slide wire.

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Figure 8.4 Set-up for AC Wheatstone bridge measurements (for capacitor).

15. Using a known ( ) and an unknown capacitor ( ), balance the bridge by moving the slider. The current flow (or the voltage drop) through the galvanometer must be zero (a minimum value). 16. Measure the and lengths and record them on the table 8.3. and are inversely proportional to their 17. The capacitive reactance of capacitances:

(8.6)

18. Calculate the capacitance of unknown inductor using the Eqs. (8.6), (8.4) and (8.3). Record it on the table 8.3. 19. Calculate the percentage error (see appendix) and record it on the table 8.3. 20. Repeat all procedure for one more unknown capacitor.

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LABORATORY REPORT: CALCULATIONS AND GRAPHS

Name Faculty number Date Instructor name

: _______________________ : _______________________ : _______________________ : _______________________ Instructors signature: ____________

These blanks must be written in pen (not pencil).

Table 8.1 DC Wheatstone bridge calculations.

( )

( )

( )

Show your work here:

Table 8.2 AC Wheatstone bridge calculations (for inductor).

( )

( )

( )

Show your work here:

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Table 8.3 AC Wheatstone bridge calculations (for capacitor).

( )

( )

( )

Show your work here:

BIBLIOGRAPHY [1] University Physics with Modern Physics with MasteringPhysics, 12/E, Hugh D. Young and Roger A. Freedman, 2008. [2] Halliday/Resnick Fundamentals of Physics, Jearl Walker, 8th Edition, Wiley, 2008. [3] Physics Laboratory Experiments, Wheatstone Bridge 4.1.02-00

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