Experiment 23

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 a protector, a decade resistance box
(b) an ammeter, a DC power supply, wire samples, electrical connectors

Theory
I) Resistance of a Wire. The resistance of a wire can be
calculated from Equation (1) where: BASIC FORMULA
L = length of the wire. (1)
A = cross sectional area of the wire. L
R=
= resistivity of the metal of the wire. A

II) Wheatstone Bridge. This is a device for the precise measurements of resistances. It is
based on the diagram in Fig. 1. At point A, an incoming current splits into two
currents, Ix and I1. In general, there is a crossover current between points
C and D, which can be detected by the galvanometer. However, if the resistances
R1 and R2 are properly chosen, the crossover current will be zero (as the galvanometer
will show). This happens when the four resistances in Fig. 1 satisfy Equation (2).
This is known as the Balanced Bridge Position.

BALANCED BRIDGE
BASIC EQUATION

(2) RX R1
=
R0 R2

In this experiment, the resistances R1 and R2 stem from two lengths of a uniform wire
made of one metal with a constant cross section. From equation (1), we know that the
ratio R1/ R2 is the same as the ratio L1/ L2 of their lengths. If R0 is known, the

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unknown resistance can be found from (2).

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Procedure
a) On your data sheet, record the code number of your set of samples. Record the following
data on all of the wires: the lengths, the gauge, and the type of metal. DO NOT SKIP THIS
STEP.

Prepare the following table:

TABLE ONE: MEASUREMENTS / RESISTANCES

WIRE RUN R0 L1 L2 RX Average: < RX >
NO. #
1
5 2
3
1
4 2
3
.....
(etc.)

b) Engage Wire No. 5 as Rx and set R0 = 20 ohms.

c) Assemble the entire circuit according to Fig. 2. Make sure you understand why the
points marked by same letters (A, B, C, D) are at the same electrical potential.

d) Make sure that all connection screws are tight and that all connectors fit tightly in their
sockets.

DO NOT PROCEED UNTIL YOUR INSTRUCTOR HAS APPROVED YOUR CIRCUIT.

e) Plug in the power supply and turn on the power. Set the current to about 250 ma.
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You do not have to adjust it again.

Set the tap key near the middle of the slide wire and press it. You should
see a small deflection of the galvanometer needle. If it is very large, or if there is
no deflection, check with the instructor.

f) Slide the tap key back and forth until you find a position where the galvanometer
shows no noticeable deflection. This position is APPROXIMATELY the balanced
bridge position.

g) Now press the protector button. This increases the sensitivity of the galvanometer so
that you can find the balanced bridge position precisely when you pressing and moving
the tap key slightly. Keep the protector button depressed, and locate the balanced
bridge position to 0.1 centimeter precision. Record the values of R0 and L1 , and
L2 = 100.0 cm - L1 for Wire No. 5, Run #1.

h) Repeat (f) and (g) for R0 = 16 ohms and R0 = 12 ohms, still using Wire No. 5.
Record R0 , L1 , and L2 for Runs #2 and #3.

i) Make three runs for each wire. Use WIRE NO. SUGGESTED R0 (ohms)
these suggested values of R0: 4 6, 5, 4
Record the values of R0 , L1 , and L2 for 3 1, 2, 3
each run. 2 4, 3, 2
1 3, 2, 1

BEFORE YOU LEAVE THE LAB:

Turn off the power in your power supply, and unplug it. Disconnect everything in
your circuit and return all connectors to their proper places.

Lab Report
Part I.
1) Calculate the value of Rx for each of your samples and record it on Table One
in the Rx column. Find the average value <Rx> for each sample.

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2) Copy Table Two onto your report. Fill it in and calculate resistivities for each sample.
using Equation (1). (Note that the diameters of wires are indicated by their gauges:
gauge 22 means D = 0.635mm; gauge 28 means D = 0.305 mm.)

TABLE TWO: RESISTIVITIES

WIRE LENGTH DIAMETER CROSS SECTION < Rx >
METAL
NO. L D AREA A

3) Calculate the resistivity of copper as the average <> of all your copper samples.
Compare with the correct value of 1.72 x 10-8 ohm-meter and display your
% discrepancy. Be careful with units.

4) Answer the following questions:

Question 1. Is it possible that, during your experiment, the resistance of one
of your wires has changed? If yes, what is the likely reason?
What precautions should be taken to guard against this?

Question 2: In this experiment, there is QUESTION 2

an uncertainty of 0.1cm in locating the BRIDGE % ERRORS IN
Balanced Bridge Position.What % BALANCED L1
error will this uncertainty L1 L2
AT L2
cause in calculations of L1 , of L2 ,
and of the ratio L1 / L2 , when L1 L1 = 20 cm
happens to be (a) 20.0 cm (b) 90.0cm
(c) 50.0 cm? L1 = 90 cm
Show the details of your calculations
and display the results in the table L1 = 50 cm
.

Question 3: On the basis of the above table for Question 2, explain the
reasons for the suggested values of R0 in Procedure.

Use calculus methods to answer this question (i.e. use differentials to estimate small errors &
uncertainties) if you can.
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