<< Chapter < Page Chapter >> Page >
I 1 R 1 = I 2 R 3 . size 12{I rSub { size 8{1} } R rSub { size 8{1} } =I rSub { size 8{2} } R rSub { size 8{3} } } {}

Again, since b and d are at the same potential, the IR size 12{ ital "IR"} {} drop along dc must equal the IR size 12{ ital "IR"} {} drop along bc. Thus,

I 1 R 2 = I 2 R x . size 12{I rSub { size 8{1} } R rSub { size 8{2} } =I rSub { size 8{2} } R rSub { size 8{x} } } {}

Taking the ratio of these last two expressions gives

I 1 R 1 I 1 R 2 = I 2 R 3 I 2 R x . size 12{ { {I rSub { size 8{1} } R rSub { size 8{1} } } over {I rSub { size 8{1} } R rSub { size 8{2} } } } = { {I rSub { size 8{2} } R rSub { size 8{3} } } over {I rSub { size 8{2} } R rSub { size 8{x} } } } } {}

Canceling the currents and solving for R x yields

R x = R 3 R 2 R 1 . size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } =R rSub { size 8{3} } { {R rSub { size 8{2} } } over {R rSub { size 8{1} } } } } {}
This complex circuit diagram shows a galvanometer connected in the center arm of a Wheatstone bridge arrangement. All the other four arms have a resistor. The bridge is connected to a cell of e m f script E and internal resistance r.
The Wheatstone bridge is used to calculate unknown resistances. The variable resistance R 3 size 12{R rSub { size 8{3} } } {} is adjusted until the galvanometer reads zero with the switch closed. This simplifies the circuit, allowing R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} to be calculated based on the IR size 12{ ital "IR"} {} drops as discussed in the text.

This equation is used to calculate the unknown resistance when current through the galvanometer is zero. This method can be very accurate (often to four significant digits), but it is limited by two factors. First, it is not possible to get the current through the galvanometer to be exactly zero. Second, there are always uncertainties in R 1 size 12{R rSub { size 8{1} } } {} , R 2 size 12{R rSub { size 8{2} } } {} , and R 3 size 12{R rSub { size 8{3} } } {} , which contribute to the uncertainty in R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} .

Identify other factors that might limit the accuracy of null measurements. Would the use of a digital device that is more sensitive than a galvanometer improve the accuracy of null measurements?

One factor would be resistance in the wires and connections in a null measurement. These are impossible to make zero, and they can change over time. Another factor would be temperature variations in resistance, which can be reduced but not completely eliminated by choice of material. Digital devices sensitive to smaller currents than analog devices do improve the accuracy of null measurements because they allow you to get the current closer to zero.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Section summary

  • Null measurement techniques achieve greater accuracy by balancing a circuit so that no current flows through the measuring device.
  • One such device, for determining voltage, is a potentiometer.
  • Another null measurement device, for determining resistance, is the Wheatstone bridge.
  • Other physical quantities can also be measured with null measurement techniques.

Conceptual questions

Why can a null measurement be more accurate than one using standard voltmeters and ammeters? What factors limit the accuracy of null measurements?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

If a potentiometer is used to measure cell emfs on the order of a few volts, why is it most accurate for the standard emf s size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{s} } } {} to be the same order of magnitude and the resistances to be in the range of a few ohms?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Problem exercises

What is the emf x size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{x} } } {} of a cell being measured in a potentiometer, if the standard cell’s emf is 12.0 V and the potentiometer balances for R x = 5 . 000 Ω size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } =5 "." "000" %OMEGA } {} and R s = 2 . 500 Ω size 12{R rSub { size 8{s} } =2 "." "500" %OMEGA } {} ?

24.0 V

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Calculate the emf x size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{x} } } {} of a dry cell for which a potentiometer is balanced when R x = 1 . 200 Ω size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } =1 "." "200" %OMEGA } {} , while an alkaline standard cell with an emf of 1.600 V requires R s = 1 . 247 Ω size 12{R rSub { size 8{s} } =1 "." "247" %OMEGA } {} to balance the potentiometer.

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

When an unknown resistance R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} is placed in a Wheatstone bridge, it is possible to balance the bridge by adjusting R 3 size 12{R rSub { size 8{3} } } {} to be 2500 Ω size 12{"2500" %OMEGA } {} . What is R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} if R 2 R 1 = 0 . 625 size 12{ { {R rSub { size 8{2} } } over {R rSub { size 8{1} } } } =0 "." "625"} {} ?

1 . 56 k Ω size 12{1 "." "56 k" %OMEGA } {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

To what value must you adjust R 3 size 12{R rSub { size 8{3} } } {} to balance a Wheatstone bridge, if the unknown resistance R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} is 100 Ω size 12{"100" %OMEGA } {} , R 1 size 12{R rSub { size 8{1} } } {} is 50 . 0 Ω size 12{"50" "." 0 %OMEGA } {} , and R 2 size 12{R rSub { size 8{2} } } {} is 175 Ω size 12{"175" %OMEGA } {} ?

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

(a) What is the unknown emf x size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{x} } } {} in a potentiometer that balances when R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} is 10 . 0 Ω size 12{"10" "." 0 %OMEGA } {} , and balances when R s size 12{R rSub { size 8{s} } } {} is 15 . 0 Ω size 12{"15" "." 0 %OMEGA } {} for a standard 3.000-V emf? (b) The same emf x size 12{"emf" rSub { size 8{x} } } {} is placed in the same potentiometer, which now balances when R s size 12{R rSub { size 8{s} } } {} is 15 . 0 Ω size 12{"15" "." 0 %OMEGA } {} for a standard emf of 3.100 V. At what resistance R x size 12{R rSub { size 8{x} } } {} will the potentiometer balance?

(a) 2.00 V

(b) 9 . 68 Ω size 12{9 "." "68 " %OMEGA } {}

Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Suppose you want to measure resistances in the range from 10 . 0 Ω size 12{"10" "." 0 %OMEGA } {} to 10 . 0 kΩ size 12{"10" "." 0" k" %OMEGA } {} using a Wheatstone bridge that has R 2 R 1 = 2 . 000 size 12{ { {R rSub { size 8{2} } } over {R rSub { size 8{1} } } } =2 "." "000"} {} . Over what range should R 3 size 12{R rSub { size 8{3} } } {} be adjustable?

Range = 5 . 00 Ω to 5 . 00 k Ω size 12{"Range=5" "." "00 " %OMEGA " to "5 "." "00"" k" %OMEGA } {}
Got questions? Get instant answers now!

Questions & Answers

how does the planets on our solar system orbit
cheten Reply
how many Messier objects are there in space
satish Reply
did you g8ve certificate
Richard Reply
what are astronomy
Issan Reply
Astronomy (from Ancient Greek ἀστρονομία (astronomía) 'science that studies the laws of the stars') is a natural science that studies celestial objects and phenomena. It uses mathematics, physics, and chemistry in order to explain their origin and evolution.
Rafael
vjuvu
Elgoog
what is big bang theory?
Rosemary
what type of activity astronomer do?
Rosemary
No
Richard
the big bang theory is a theory which states that all matter was compressed together in one place the matter got so unstable it exploded releasing All its contents in the form of hydrogen
Roaul
I want to be an astronomer. That's my dream
Astrit
Who named the the whole galaxy?
Shola Reply
solar Univers
GPOWER
what is space
Richard
what is the dark matter
Richard
what are the factors upon which the atmosphere is stratified
Nicholas Reply
is the big bang the sun
Folakemi Reply
no
Sokak
bigbang is the beginning of the universe
Sokak
but thats just a theory
Sokak
nothing will happen, don't worry brother.
Vansh
what does comet means
GANGAIN Reply
these are Rocky substances between mars and jupiter
GANGAIN
Comets are cosmic snowballs of frozen gases , rock and dust that orbit the sun. They are mostly found between the orbits of Venus and Mercury.
Aarya
hllo
John
hi
John
qt rrt
John
r u there
John
hey can anyone guide me abt international astronomy olympiad
sahil
how can we learn right and true ?
Govinda Reply
why the moon is always appear in an elliptical shape
Gatjuol Reply
Because when astroid hit the Earth then a piece of elliptical shape of the earth was separated which is now called moon.
Hemen
what's see level?
lidiya Reply
Did you mean eye sight or sea level
Minal
oh sorry it's sea level
lidiya
according to the theory of astronomers why the moon is always appear in an elliptical orbit?
Gatjuol
hi !!! I am new in astronomy.... I have so many questions in mind .... all of scientists of the word they just give opinion only. but they never think true or false ... i respect all of them... I believes whole universe depending on true ...থিউরি
Govinda
hello
Jackson
hi
Elyana
we're all stars and galaxies a part of sun. how can science prove thx with respect old ancient times picture or books..or anything with respect to present time .but we r a part of that universe
w astronomy and cosmology!
Michele
another theory of universe except big ban
Albash Reply
how was universe born
Asmit Reply
there many theory to born universe but what is the reality of big bang theory to born universe
Asmit
what is the exact value of π?
Nagalakshmi
by big bang
universal
there are many theories regarding this it's on you believe any theory that you think is true ex. eternal inflation theory, oscillation model theory, multiple universe theory the big bang theory etc.
Aarya
I think after Big Bang!
Michele
from where on earth could u observe all the stars during the during the course of an year
Karuna Reply
I think it couldn't possible on earth
Nagalakshmi
in this time i don't Know
Michele
is that so. the question was in the end of this chapter
Karuna
in theory, you could see them all from the equator (though over the course of a year, not at pne time). stars are measured in "declination", which is how far N or S of the equator (90* to -90*). Polaris is the North star, and is ALMOST 90* (+89*). So it would just barely creep over the horizon.
Christopher
Got questions? Join the online conversation and get instant answers!
Jobilize.com Reply
Practice Key Terms 5

Get Jobilize Job Search Mobile App in your pocket Now!

Get it on Google Play Download on the App Store Now




Source:  OpenStax, College physics for ap® courses. OpenStax CNX. Nov 04, 2016 Download for free at https://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11844/1.14
Google Play and the Google Play logo are trademarks of Google Inc.

Notification Switch

Would you like to follow the 'College physics for ap® courses' conversation and receive update notifications?

Ask