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Question 66 of 102

Q.Obtain the condition for bridge balance in Wheatstone's bridge.

Tamil Nadu DgeTamil Nadu HSC (DGE) Board 2017Subjective· 5mImportance★★★★★
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Applying Kirchhoff's laws to a Wheatstone's bridge under the balanced (zero galvanometer current) condition shows that the ratios of opposite arms must be equal, P/Q=R/SP/Q=R/S.

The bridge circuit

A Wheatstone's bridge consists of four resistances P, Q, R, SP,\,Q,\,R,\,S connected to form a closed quadrilateral ABCDABCD: PP between AA and BB, QQ between BB and CC, SS between AA and DD, and RR between DD and CC. A battery (with a key) is connected across the diagonal ACAC, and a galvanometer (with a key) is connected across the other diagonal BDBD.

Balanced condition

The bridge is said to be balanced when the galvanometer shows zero deflection, i.e. no current flows through it (Ig=0I_g=0). This means points BB and DD are at the same potential.

Applying Kirchhoff's current law (junction rule)

Since no current flows through the galvanometer branch BDBD, the entire current entering junction BB from AA (through PP) must continue on to CC (through QQ); call this current I1I_1. Similarly, the current entering DD from AA (through SS) continues on to CC (through RR); call this current I2I_2.

Applying Kirchhoff's voltage law (loop rule)

Because BB and DD are at the same potential, the potential drop from AA to BB (through PP) must equal the potential drop from AA to DD (through SS):

I1P=I2S...(1)I_1P=I_2S \qquad \text{...(1)} …

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