Lab workshop PHY270

Assignment 2
Wheatstone bridge, DC measurement

CRN: 30166 Section: E01

Days/time class meets: T/W at 8:00 am Location of class meets: H S123

Prepared by : Yara Khawly

Elissa Khoury
George al Malouf

Presented to: Dr Oumar Mourad

TABEL OF CONTENT:
1. Objectives………………………………………………………………………………………….

2. Introduction …………………………………………………………………………………………….

3. Materials………………………………………………………………………………………………

4. Wheastone bridge circuit ………………………………………………………………………..

5. Performing the experiment ………………………………………………………………….

6. Manipulation………………………………………………………………………………………..

6.1 Manipulation for R2………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.2 Manipulation for the error of R2……………………………………………………………………………

6.3 Manipulation for R1………………………………………………………………………………………………

6.4 Manipulation for the error of R1……………………………………………………………………………

6.5 Measurement for different resistor…………………………………………………………….

7.Definition and verifying of Kirchhoff current law (KCL)………………………………...

8.Definition and verifying of Kirchhoff voltage law (KVL)…………………………………

9.Conclusion………………………………………………………………………………………….………
1-Objectives
• Determinate the unknown resistor
• Make the Wheatstone bridge.
• Become familiar with measuring both voltage and resistance using voltmeter and
ohmmeter

• Verifying the 2 laws of Kirchhoff : law of meshes and the law of the nodes.
• Calculation of the error

2-Introduction:
What is a Wheatstone bridge?
The Wheatstone Bridge was originally developed by Charles Wheatstone to measure unknown
resistance values and as a means of calibrating measuring instruments, voltmeters, ammeters,
etc, by the use of a long resistive slide wire.
Although today digital multimeters provide the simplest way to measure a resistance. The
Wheatstone Bridge can still be used to measure very low values of resistances down in the
milli-Ohms range.
The Wheatstone Bridge circuit is nothing more than two simple series-parallel arrangements of
resistances connected between a voltage supply terminal and ground producing zero voltage
difference between the two parallel branches when balanced. A Wheatstone bridge circuit has
two input terminals and two output terminals consisting of four resistors configured in a
diamond-like arrangement as shown. This is typical of how the Wheatstone bridge is drawn.

Figure1- Wheatstone bridge Circuit.

3-Materials:
• Ohmmeter
• 4 resistors
• Voltage source

4-Wheastone bridge circuit

To start this experiment first we need to build the circuit:
1. First step is to start by connecting the variable resistor R2 to the circuit.
2.Second step is to connect the ammeter A2, a voltmeter can also be used instead of an
ammeter.
3. Third step is to connect A1 and set it to a value of 6 mA.
4. The last step is to set the voltage source to a value of 12 V.

5-How does the circuit work?

• We start by changing the value of the variable resistor R2 until A2 read 0 A
• At the same time the voltmeter measuring UBD must also read 0 V in case of
an ammeter it should also read 0 A.
• We note the maximum and the minimum value for which I2 is equal to zero.
• Then we will do the calculation to solve for the unknown resistance.
6-Manipulation:
Using the ohmmeter, we find that:
R3 = 2.40 ±0.01 KΩ and R4=1.4859± 0.001KΩ

6.1-Calculation part for R2 :

• As mentioned before the values measured for R2 when I=0 are Rminimum=1670Ω and
Rmaximum=1684Ω.
• Finding the optimum value for R2 to which I=0 is
Rminimum+Rmaximum 1670+1684
R2= = =1677 Ω 2.40 KΩ
2 2

6.2Now we will calculate the error for R2:

Rmaximum−Rminimum 1684−1670 1.485KΩ

ΔR2 = = =±7Ω. 1677 Ω
2 2

• R2= 1677±7V

6.3-Calculation part of R1:

R2×R3
• After this calculation we can now calculate R1 using the relation R1= this formula
R4
is coming from the fact that UAB=UAD this give that R1I1=R2I2 and UBC=UDC so that
R3I3=R4I4. Relation (3) can be found by dividing relations (1) and (2). The unknown
resistance R1 can be calculated using this relationship and the known resistances R3
and R4.
R2×R3 2400×1677
R1= = =2702.114Ω 2702.114 Ω
R4 1489.5
 6.4-Error calculation on R1:
R2×R3
R1=
R4
R2×R3
Ln(R1) =Ln ( )
R4

Ln(R1) =Ln(R2 × R3)-Ln(R4)

Ln(R1) =Ln(R2) +Ln(R3)-Ln(R4)
ΔR1 ΔR2 ΔR3 Δ𝑅4
= + +
R1 R2 R3 R4
ΔR1 7 10 1
= + + =9.014×10−3
R1 1677 2400 1485

ΔR1=9.014×10−3 ×2702.114=±24.35.
R1=2702.114±24.35Ω.

6.5-Using the voltmeter, we obtain the following values:

UAB=6.25 ±0.01V
UAD=6.27 ±0.01V
UBC=5.56±0.01V
UCD=-5.54±0.01V
7-To verify the law of node first we need to calculate I1 and I2 using the law of
ohms.
UAB=R1×I1
UAB 6.25
I1= R1 =2702.114=2.313×𝟏𝟎−𝟑 A

UAD=R2×I2
UAD 6.27
I2= =1677=3.738×𝟏𝟎−𝟑 A
R2

Before verifying the law of Kirchhoff at point A lets first have a simple definition:
Kirchhoff's Current Law (KCL) states that the total current flowing into a junction in an electrical
circuit is equal to the total current flowing out of that junction.

At the point A the current entering I =6.07×10−3 A measured by the ammeter A1

I=I1+I2

I=2.313×10−3+3.738×10−3=6.051×𝟏𝟎−𝟑 A

This value is approximately equal to 6.07×10−3 A, so this state that Kirchhoff current law is
verified at the point A in this Wheatstone bridge cycle.

8-Let’s now also give a definition for the second law of Kirchhoff:
Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) states that the total voltage around a closed loop in an electrical
circuit is zero. In simpler terms, the sum of all voltage drops across components in a loop is
equal to the sum of all voltage sources in that loop.
Starting with the point A and going through the loop we will end up by: UAB +UBC+UCD+UDA=
6.25+5.56-5.54-6.27=0 v
This state that Kirchhoff's Voltage Law (KVL) is verified in this Wheatstone bridge cycle.
9-conclusion:
In conclusion, the Wheatstone Bridge DC Measurements experiment provided
valuable insights into measuring resistances, constructing and balancing a
Wheatstone bridge circuit, and verifying the law of meshes and the law of the
nodes. The experiment successfully achieved its objectives and yielded important
results.
In summary, the Wheatstone Bridge DC Measurements experiment enhanced our
understanding of resistance measurement, Wheatstone bridge circuits, and the
principles of circuit analysis. It provided hands-on experience in utilizing
measuring devices and reinforced the importance of accuracy and precision in
experimental measurements.