Experiment 23: Wheatstone Bridge and Resistivity of Metals

Purpose
(1) To study the use of Wheatstone Bridge for precise measurements of resistances. (2) To determine the resistivity of a metal.

Apparatus

(a) a slide-wire, a galvanometer with protector, a decade-resistance- o! ( ) an ammeter, a "# power-supply, wire samples, electrical connectors

Theory
$) %esistance of a Wire. %esistance of a wire can e calculated from formula (1) where& ' ( length of the wire. ) ( cross-sectional area of the wire. * ( resistivity of the metal of the wire. B)+$# ,-%./') (1) % ( *0
L A

$$) Wheatstone Bridge. This is a device for precise measurements of resistances. $t is ased on the diagram in ,ig. 1. )t point ), an incoming current splits into two currents, $! and $. $n general, there could e!ist a 1crossover current2 etween points # and ", which will e detected y the galvanometer. 3owever, if the resistances %1 and %2 are properly chosen, the crossover current will e 4ero (as the galvanometer will show). This happens when the four resistances in ,ig. 1 satisfy the relation (2). This is 5nown as the B)')6#7" B%$"87 9-+$T$-6.
B)')6#7" B%$"87 B)+$# %7')T$-6

(2)

%:
(

%1 %2

%;

$n this e!periment, the resistances %1 and %2 stem from two pieces of a uniform wire (same metal, same cross-section). Therefore, the ratio %1< %2 is the same as the ratio '1< '2 of their lengths. Then, if %; is 5nown, the un5nown resistance can e found from (2).

Pro edure
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Experiment 23

a) -n your data-sheet, record the code-num er of your set of samples. %ecord the following data on all of the wires& the lengths, the gauge, and the type of metal. 9repare the following ta le& W$%7 6-. @ B !!!!! (etc.) ) )ssem le the entire circuit according to the scheme in ,ig. 2. .a5e sure you understand why the points mar5ed y same letters (), B, #, ") are at the same electrical potential. T)B'7 -67& .7)+/%7.76T+ < %7+$+T)6#7+ %/6 %; '1 '2 %: = 1 2 A 1 2 A

)ve& > %: ?

c) .a5e sure that all connection-screws are tight and that all connectors fit tightly in their soc5ets. d) 7ngage the 1wire 6o. @ and set %; ( 2; ohms. "- 6-T 9%-#77" B7,-%7 C-/% $6+T%/#T-% 3)+ )99%-D7" C-/% #$%#/$T. e) 9lug-in the power-supply and turn-on the power. $ncrease the current at a out 2@; ma (if not familiar with the 1current-limiting 5no 2 call your instructor).
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Experiment 23

+et the tap-5ey near the middle of the slide-wire and tap it riefly. Cou should o serve some small deflection of galvanometer needle (if it is very large, or if there is no deflection, chec5 with the instructor). f) .ove the tap-5ey ac5-and-forth and repeat the tapping, until you find (1 y trial-anderror2) a position where the galvanometer shows no noticea le deflection (if you cannot find such position, call your instructor). This position suggests B)')6#7" B%$"87 9-+$T$-6, ut only crudely. g) To find the B)')6#7" 9-+$T$-6 precisely, press the protector- utton. This increases the sensitivity of the galvanometer ( y 1shunting2). Eeeping the protector- utton depressed, locate the B)')6#7" B%$"87 9-+$T$-6 within one millimeter precision. %ecord the values of %; and '1 , as well as '2 ( 1;;.; cm - '1 . (7nter this under 1Wire 6o. @, %un =1) h) %epeat (f) and (g) for %; ( 1F ohms and %; ( 12 ohms, still using Gwire 6o. @H, and record. i) ,or all other wires, ma5e three runs for each one, as per a ove instructions. /se the suggested values of %; as shown. %ecord the values of %; , '1 , and '2 for each run. W$%7 6-. @ B A 2 1 +/887+T7" %; (ohms) 2;, 1F, 12 F, @, B 1, 2, A B, A, 2 A, 2, 1

B7,-%7 C-/ '7)D7 T37 ')B& Turn-off the power in your power-supply, and 1unplug2 it. "isconnect everything in your circuit and return all connectors to their proper places.

"a# Report
Part $!
1) #alculate the value of %! for each of your specimens. ,or convenience, do this on your data sheet (Ta le -ne %! column). ,ind the average value >%!? for each specimen. 2) +ummari4e your calculations of resistivities in Ta le Two (as shown). The diameters of wires are specified y their gauges& gauge 22 means " ( ;.FA@mmI gauge 2J means " ( ;.A;@ mm. T)B'7 TW-& %7+$+T$D$T$7+
120

Experiment 23

W$%7 6-.

.7T)'

'768T3 '

"$).7T7% "

#%-++-+7#T$-6 )%7) )

> %! ?

A) #alculate the resistivity of copper as the average >*? of all your opper samples. #ompare with the correct value of 1.K2 ! 1;-J ohm0 met and display your L discrepancy. B) )nswer the following Muestions& Nuestion =1. $s it possi le that, during your e!periment, the resistance of one of your wires has changedO $f yes, what is the li5ely reasonO What precautions should e ta5en to guard against thisO Nuestion =2& $n this e!periment, there is an uncertainty of one millimeter in locating B)')6#7" B%$"87 9-+$T$-6 on the slide-wire. What L error will this uncertainty cause in calculations of '1 , of '2 , and of the ratio '1 < '2 , when '1 happens to e (a) 2;.; cm ( ) P;.;cm (c) @;.; cmO +how the details of your calculations and display the results in the ta le (as shown). N/7+T$-6 =2 L 7%%-%+ $6 B%$"87 '1 B)')6#7" '1 '2 )T '2 '1 ( 2; cm '1 ( P; cm '1 ( @; cm

Nuestion =A& -n the asis of the a ove ta le (for Nuestion =2), e!plain the reasons for suggested values of R% in 19rocedure2.

9hysics-B students should use calculus methods to answer this Muestion (i.e. use differentials to estimate small errors Q uncertainties).
121