To verify the laws of combination (series OR Parallel) of resistances using a

meter bridge.
APPARATUS:
A meter bridge, galvanometer, one-way key, a resistance box, a battery eliminator, jockey, unknown standard
resistor(s) and reconnecting wires.

unknown standard resistor and reconnecting wires.

THEORY: A meter bridge is the practical application of Wheatstone bridge arrangement as shown in figure below:

The four resistances are connected to each other as shown and if the bridge is in balanced state, i.e., there is no deflection
in the galvanometer (G)
The unknown resistance ′X′ can be found by Meter bridge which uses the principle of Wheatstone bridge. The unknown
resistance 'X' of the given wire is obtained by relation:

The unknown resistance ′X′ can be found by Meter bridge which uses the principle of Wheatstone bridge. The unknown
resistance 'X' of the given wire is obtained by relation

Circuit Diagram: (to be made on the unruled paper)

Series

Parallel

PROCEDURE:
• The required materials are arranged on a table and the connections are made as per the connections diagram.
• Some resistance is introduced in the circuit by taking out some resistance from the resistance box.
• The key is plugged in. The jockey is bought in contact with the end A first, and then with C. The deflection on the
galvanometer is observed.
• If the galvanometer deflects in the opposite direction, the connections are right and the null point is in between A and C.
• Now, the jockey is moved slowly over the wire starting from one end to other and note the galvanometer deflection. The
process is continued till the balancing point(D) (zero deflection in galvanometer) is reached.
• The position of the jockey from end A is taken as the balancing length (l) using the meter scale.
• The process is repeated for different values of R. The balancing length is also measured each time.
• The above steps are repeated to find the balancing length, for the same values of 𝑅1 , 𝑅2, series of 𝑅1 & 𝑅2 and parallel
of 𝑅1 & 𝑅2 .
• The unknown resistance of the resistor and the combination of the resistors are calculated by using the equation-(2).
Observation table:

SL NO. Resistance in Balancing Length, 𝑹(𝟏𝟎𝟎−𝒍) Mean X

𝑿= (Ω)
RB R(Ω) length, DC =(𝟏𝟎𝟎 − 𝒍) 𝒍 (Ω)
AD=𝒍 (cm) (cm)
𝑅1 Mean 𝑅1

𝑅2 Mean 𝑅2

series of 𝑅1 & 𝑅 2 Mean of series of

series of 𝑅1 & 𝑅 2 𝑅1 & 𝑅 2

parallel of Mean of parallel

𝑅1 & 𝑅2 of 𝑅1 & 𝑅2
parallel of
𝑅1 & 𝑅2

Calculation: (must be made on the unruled paper just below the table)

Result: (to be written on the ruled paper)

Mean resistance of 𝑅1 = ........ Ω
Mean resistance of 𝑅 2 = ........ Ω
Mean of series of 𝑅1 & 𝑅 2= ........ Ω
Mean of parallel of 𝑅1 & 𝑅2= ........ Ω
Precaution:
1.All the connections neat and tight.
2. Jockey should be moved gently over the metre bridge wire.
3. Do not keep the jockey and the wire in contact for a long time.
4. Hold the jockey perpendicular to the wire of metre bridge.
5. Plug keys of the resistance box should be made tight.
Sources of error:
1. The jockey should not be pressed too hard on the metre bridge wire.
2. The screws of the instruments may be loose.
3. The wire may not be uniformly thick throughout.