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Q.A Wheatstone bridge is shown in figure.

(a) Derive a relation connecting the four resistors for the galvanometer to give zero or null deflection.
(b) Name a practical device which uses this principle. (4 + 1)
Wheatstone bridge drawn as a diamond with nodes A, B, C, D: resistors R1, R2, R3, R4 on the four arms carrying currents I1–I4, a galvanometer G across B and D, and a cell of emf epsilon across A and C — Kerala Class 12 Physics balance-condition question
Figure
Kerala DhseKerala DHSE Plus Two Board 2020Subjective· 5mImportance★★★★★
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At balance no current flows through the galvanometer, so VB=VDV_B=V_D; applying Kirchhoff's voltage law to both halves of the bridge gives the balance condition R1/R2=R3/R4R_1/R_2 = R_3/R_4.

(a) Deriving the balance condition: At balance, the galvanometer (connected between B and D) shows zero deflection, meaning no current flows through it, and hence the potentials at B and D are equal: VB=VDV_B = V_D.

With no current diverted through the galvanometer, the current entering at A splits into two branches only: I2I_2 flows through R2R_2 (A→B) and then continues as I4I_4 through R4R_4 (B→C), i.e. I2=I4I_2 = I_4. Similarly I1I_1 flows through R1R_1 (A→D) and continues as I3I_3 through R3R_3 (D→C), so I1=I3I_1 = I_3.

Since VB=VDV_B = V_D, the potential drop from A to B must equal the potential drop from A to D:

I2R2=I1R1...(i)I_2 R_2 = I_1 R_1 \qquad \text{...(i)}

Similarly, the drop from B to C must equal the drop from D to C:

I2R4=I1R3...(ii)I_2 R_4 = I_1 R_3 \qquad \text{...(ii)}

Dividing equation (i) by equation (ii):

R2R4=R1R3\frac{R_2}{R_4} = \frac{R_1}{R_3}

R1R2=R3R4i.e.R1R4=R2R3\boxed{\frac{R_1}{R_2} = \frac{R_3}{R_4}} \qquad \text{i.e.} \qquad R_1R_4 = R_2R_3

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