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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.

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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?

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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?

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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

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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.

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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 } {}

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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 } {} ?

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(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 } {}

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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 } {}
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Questions & Answers

how did you get 1640
Noor Reply
If auger is pair are the roots of equation x2+5x-3=0
Peter Reply
Wayne and Dennis like to ride the bike path from Riverside Park to the beach. Dennis’s speed is seven miles per hour faster than Wayne’s speed, so it takes Wayne 2 hours to ride to the beach while it takes Dennis 1.5 hours for the ride. Find the speed of both bikers.
MATTHEW Reply
420
Sharon
from theory: distance [miles] = speed [mph] × time [hours] info #1 speed_Dennis × 1.5 = speed_Wayne × 2 => speed_Wayne = 0.75 × speed_Dennis (i) info #2 speed_Dennis = speed_Wayne + 7 [mph] (ii) use (i) in (ii) => [...] speed_Dennis = 28 mph speed_Wayne = 21 mph
George
Let W be Wayne's speed in miles per hour and D be Dennis's speed in miles per hour. We know that W + 7 = D and W * 2 = D * 1.5. Substituting the first equation into the second: W * 2 = (W + 7) * 1.5 W * 2 = W * 1.5 + 7 * 1.5 0.5 * W = 7 * 1.5 W = 7 * 3 or 21 W is 21 D = W + 7 D = 21 + 7 D = 28
Salma
Devon is 32 32​​ years older than his son, Milan. The sum of both their ages is 54 54​. Using the variables d d​ and m m​ to represent the ages of Devon and Milan, respectively, write a system of equations to describe this situation. Enter the equations below, separated by a comma.
Aaron Reply
find product (-6m+6) ( 3m²+4m-3)
SIMRAN Reply
-42m²+60m-18
Salma
what is the solution
bill
how did you arrive at this answer?
bill
-24m+3+3mÁ^2
Susan
i really want to learn
Amira
I only got 42 the rest i don't know how to solve it. Please i need help from anyone to help me improve my solving mathematics please
Amira
Hw did u arrive to this answer.
Aphelele
hi
Bajemah
-6m(3mA²+4m-3)+6(3mA²+4m-3) =-18m²A²-24m²+18m+18mA²+24m-18 Rearrange like items -18m²A²-24m²+42m+18A²-18
Salma
complete the table of valuesfor each given equatio then graph. 1.x+2y=3
Jovelyn Reply
x=3-2y
Salma
y=x+3/2
Salma
Hi
Enock
given that (7x-5):(2+4x)=8:7find the value of x
Nandala
3x-12y=18
Kelvin
please why isn't that the 0is in ten thousand place
Grace Reply
please why is it that the 0is in the place of ten thousand
Grace
Send the example to me here and let me see
Stephen
A meditation garden is in the shape of a right triangle, with one leg 7 feet. The length of the hypotenuse is one more than the length of one of the other legs. Find the lengths of the hypotenuse and the other leg
Marry Reply
how far
Abubakar
cool u
Enock
state in which quadrant or on which axis each of the following angles given measure. in standard position would lie 89°
Abegail Reply
hello
BenJay
hi
Method
I am eliacin, I need your help in maths
Rood
how can I help
Sir
hmm can we speak here?
Amoon
however, may I ask you some questions about Algarba?
Amoon
hi
Enock
what the last part of the problem mean?
Roger
The Jones family took a 15 mile canoe ride down the Indian River in three hours. After lunch, the return trip back up the river took five hours. Find the rate, in mph, of the canoe in still water and the rate of the current.
cameron Reply
Shakir works at a computer store. His weekly pay will be either a fixed amount, $925, or $500 plus 12% of his total sales. How much should his total sales be for his variable pay option to exceed the fixed amount of $925.
mahnoor Reply
I'm guessing, but it's somewhere around $4335.00 I think
Lewis
12% of sales will need to exceed 925 - 500, or 425 to exceed fixed amount option. What amount of sales does that equal? 425 ÷ (12÷100) = 3541.67. So the answer is sales greater than 3541.67. Check: Sales = 3542 Commission 12%=425.04 Pay = 500 + 425.04 = 925.04. 925.04 > 925.00
Munster
difference between rational and irrational numbers
Arundhati Reply
When traveling to Great Britain, Bethany exchanged $602 US dollars into £515 British pounds. How many pounds did she receive for each US dollar?
Jakoiya Reply
how to reduced echelon form
Solomon Reply
Jazmine trained for 3 hours on Saturday. She ran 8 miles and then biked 24 miles. Her biking speed is 4 mph faster than her running speed. What is her running speed?
Zack Reply
d=r×t the equation would be 8/r+24/r+4=3 worked out
Sheirtina
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Source:  OpenStax, College physics. OpenStax CNX. Jul 27, 2015 Download for free at http://legacy.cnx.org/content/col11406/1.9
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