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#balanced circuit

2 public questions tagged with this topic.

In a Wheatstone bridge, when the bridge is balanced, what is the potential difference across the galvanometer?

**Unbalanced bridge** has potential difference between galvanometer nodes, current direction determined by which node higher potential, i.e., if R₁/R₂ > R₃/R₄, left node higher, current flows one way, else opposite. Galvanometer deflection indicates imbalance magnitude. At balance, the potential at the two junctions connected to the galvanometer is equal (due to the ratio condition R₁ / R₂ = R₃ / R₄ ), so the potential difference across the galvanometer is zero, and no current flows through it. Applying I = n e A v_d, R = ρ l/A, R_t = R₀[1+αΔT], Kirchhoff's ΣI=0, ΣV=0, R_eq series/parallel, V

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Current Electricity > Wheatstone Bridge and Meter Bridge

A Wheatstone bridge has \( R_1 = 22 \, \Omega \), \( R_2 = 44 \, \Omega \), \( R_3 = 15 \, \Omega \). What is \( R_4 \)

**Wheatstone bridge balance** condition R₁/R₂ = R₃/R₄, R₄ = R₂ R₃/R₁, when galvanometer current zero, potentials at midpoints equal. At balance, no current through galvanometer, enabling precise resistance measurement independent of source voltage. Balance condition: (R₁/R₂) = (R₃/R₄) . Substitute: (22/44) = (15/R₄) . Solve: 0.5 = (15/R₄) ⇒ R₄ = (15/0.5) = 30 Ω . Applying I = n e A v_d, R = ρ l/A, R_t = R₀[1+αΔT], Kirchhoff's ΣI=0, ΣV=0, R_eq series/parallel, V = ε - I r and P = I²R, evaluation yields 30 Ω,

Ref: NCERT > Physics Book > Current Electricity > Wheatstone Bridge and Meter Bridge