WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 1 of 6

Portion covered :
[ Wheatstone bridge; right in the beginning take Ig=0 as we consider a balanced bridge, derivation of
R1/R2 = R3/R4 [Kirchhoff’s law not necessary].

WHEATSTONE BRIDGE

Resistors P,Q,R,S arranged in the following manner forms a Wheatstone Bridge.

When the current in the galvanometer is 0, Ig = 0, the Wheatstone Bridge is
balanced.

Balanced Condition
At balance the Galvanometer shows no deflection , Ig = 0.
Taking junction rule at B ,
Ip − Ig − Iq = 0
Since Ig = 0, we have Ip = Iq
Taking junction rule at D, gives Ir = Is
Also in ab and ad , Va − V b = Ip × P and Va − Vd = Ir × R,
which gives upon subtracting one from the other , Vd − V b = Ip × P − Ir × R
Since Ig = 0,Vd = V b, Ip × P = Ir × R
Ip R
Therefore = ...... (1)
Ir P
Similarly bc and dc V b − Vc = Iq × Q, Vd − Vc = Is × S
which gives upon subtracting one from the other, Vd − V b = Is × S − Iq × Q
Is Q Ir Q Ip S
Since Vd = V b, = , = ( Is = Ir, Ip = Iq) hence = (2)
Iq S Ip S Ir Q
From(1) & (2)
R S
=
P Q
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 2 of 6
P R P
Hence = or R = × S so if S is a standard resistor whose value is known
Q S Q
P
accurately , knowing the ratio we can by balancing a Wheatstone Bridge obtain
Q
the value of an unknown resistance R.

Note:
The Wheatstone Bridge Balance condition also helps us to simplify a resistive
circuit as these examples will show.

1. Find X for which A and B are at the same potential. ( ISC 2016)

Solution: The balance condition is satisfied when potential at A and B are the
3 6
same. Hence = , X = 10Ω
5 X
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 3 of 6

2. Calculate the equivalent resistance between a and f for the following circuit.
( ISC 2015)

10 20
Analysing the above we notice : = , hence the resistances satisfy the
40 80
balance condition of the Wheatstone Bridge, therefore no current flows through
the 50Ω resistance which can be eliminated to redraw a simpler circuit as
follows

1 1 1
= + = 24Ω
R 30 120
3. How much resistance should be connected to the 15Ω resistor in the circuit
below so that points M and N are at the same potential ? ( ISC 2014)

When potential at M and N are the same we get the balance condition of the
Wheatstone Bridge
Let X be the resistance in place of the 15Ω
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 4 of 6
3 X
= , X = 6Ω , since 6<15, it means the resistance that needs to be
30 60
connected with the 15Ω resistance is done so in parallel
1 1 1
+ =
15 R 6
R = 10Ω
4. Find the equivalent resistance between A and B for the following circuit. (ISC
2013)

2 3
We note that = , therefore the Wheatstone Bridge is balanced and the 6Ω
8 12
resistor can be eliminated from the circuit which will simplify to

1 1 1
= +
R 5 20
R=5Ω
Advantage
The Wheatstone Bridge is a null arrangement. This means there is no current in the
galvanometer at balance so the result is not affected by the errors of this
instrument.
Disadvantage
It cannot be used for measuring very high or very low resistances. When resistance
to be measured is very low , the resistance of the connecting wires which was
neglected in the analysis for the balance condition becomes significant. When
resistance to be measured is very high , a very small current flows when off-
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 5 of 6
balance. This cannot be read properly by the galvanometer and this makes the
attainment of the balance condition difficult.

A meter bridge is a design improvement on the Wheatstone Bridge and is more

versatile.

The above diagram shows a simple diagram of the metre bridge, The resistors in the
lower bridge have been replaced by the resistances offered by lengths l1and l2 of
wire AC. Wire AC is a uniform wire a metre long and hence the name.
When B is such that the galvanometer shows no deflection the bridge is balanced
and we have from the balance condition ,
R S
= ( where Rl1 = resistance of l1, Rl2 = resistance of l2)
Rl1 Rl2
If λ is the resistance per unit length of the wire ,
Rl1 = λl1,Rl2 = λl2
Therefore
R λl1
=
S λl2
R l1
=
S l2
If R is a standard resistor then the unknown resistance S can be found from the
l1
ratio of the balance lengths .
l2
 WHEATSTONE BRIDGE Page 6 of 6
R l
Also Also if l1 = l, l2 = 100 − l, = .
S 100 − l

Note that the meter bridge enables us to get a continuous variation of the
resistances by tapping the metre wire at different points till a balance length l is
found.
Most ISC Physics practicals experiments are based on the metre bridge.

The metre bridge has the same advantages as the Wheatstone Bridge. It is a null
deflection method in which the galvanometer error will have no impact on the
measurement.

End errors
The resistance of the connecting wires and the plates have not been accounted for .
Also we assume that the wire is a metre long. In reality it is longer. Also the binding
posts in which the wire is wound will have resistance. The error introduced by the
foregoing is called end error.

Points to remember.

1. Wheatstone Bridge -diagram and derivation of balance condition.

2. Simple problems on network of resistors based on the balance condition.
3. Advantages ( null deflection method)/ Disadvantages
4. Metre Bridge ( diagram and analysis )