CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the Physics project titled
“__________”
submitted by _________, a student of Class XII, Section
__, Roll No._ _, for the academic year 2025-2026, is a
genuine and original work completed under the
supervision of _____
This project has been submitted in partial fulfillment of the
requirements for the Central Board of Secondary
Education (CBSE) Class 12 Curriculum in Physics.
Teacher's Signature Examiner Signature
Date: _______
Acknowledgment
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to Mr Santosh Pandey, my
Physics teacher, for their constant guidance, support, and encouragement
throughout the completion of this project. Their valuable suggestions and
constructive feedback helped me understand the concepts clearly and
complete this work successfully.
I am also thankful to Mrs Manju Singh for providing the facilities and a
suitable environment to work on this project.
I would like to extend my heartfelt thanks to my parents and friends for their
continuous motivation and assistance.
Lastly, I am grateful to the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)
for including this project as a part of the curriculum, which helped me
enhance my learning and practical knowledge.
Eshaan Singh
Class XII
Narayana Public School
WHEATSTONE BRIDGE
1. Introduction
· Electricity plays an important role in modern science and technology. In electrical
circuits, it is often necessary to measure resistance accurately. One of the most important
and precise methods for measuring an unknown resistance is by using a Wheatstone
Bridge.
· The Wheatstone bridge is a fundamental electrical circuit that helps in comparing
resistances and determining unknown resistance values. It is widely used in laboratories,
industries, and electronic instruments. The principle of the Wheatstone bridge is also used
in devices such as meter bridges, strain gauges, and sensors.
· This project explains the construction, principle, working, balance condition,
advantages, limitations, and applications of the Wheatstone bridge in detail.
2. History of Wheatstone Bridge
· The Wheatstone bridge was invented in the year 1833 by Samuel Hunter Christie.
However, it was later improved and popularized by Sir Charles Wheatstone, a British
scientist, due to which the circuit came to be known as the Wheatstone Bridge.
· Sir Charles Wheatstone contributed greatly to the study of electricity and telegraphy. The
Wheatstone bridge became an important invention because it allowed accurate
measurement of resistance at a time when electrical measuring instruments were not very
advanced.
3. Definition of Wheatstone Bridge
A Wheatstone bridge is an electrical circuit consisting of four resistances connected in the
form of a bridge. A source of emf (battery) is connected across one diagonal of the bridge, and a
galvanometer is connected across the other diagonal.
The Wheatstone bridge is used to:
· Measure unknown resistance
· Compare resistances
· Detect small changes in resistance
4. Construction of Wheatstone Bridge
The Wheatstone bridge consists of the following components:
1. Four resistances:
a. Three known resistances
b. One unknown resistance
2. Galvanometer:
a. Used to detect the flow of current through the bridge
3. Battery or DC source:
a. Provides electrical energy
4. Connecting wires:
a. Used to complete the circuit
Arrangement of Components
· The four resistances are arranged in the shape of a quadrilateral.
· The battery is connected across one diagonal.
· The galvanometer is connected across the other diagonal.
5. Circuit Diagram Description
Let the four resistances of the Wheatstone bridge be:
· R1
· R2
· R3
· R4
The battery is connected between points A and C.
The galvanometer is connected between points B and D.
When current flows through the circuit, it divides into two paths and flows through the
resistances. Depending on the values of resistances, the galvanometer may or may not show
deflection.
6. Principle of Wheatstone Bridge
The Wheatstone bridge works on the principle of balanced potential difference.
When the ratio of resistances in one arm of the bridge is equal to the ratio of resistances in the
other arm, the potential difference between the two junction points becomes zero. As a result, no
current flows through the galvanometer.
This condition is known as the balanced condition of Wheatstone bridge.
7. Balance Condition of Wheatstone Bridge
Let the four resistances be arranged as:
· R1 and R2 in one arm
· R3 and R4 in the other arm
The Wheatstone bridge is balanced when:
𝑅1 𝑅3
=
𝑅2 𝑅 4
At balance condition:
· Galvanometer shows zero deflection
· No current flows through the diagonal branch
· The bridge is said to be balanced
This condition is independent of:
· Battery voltage
· Galvanometer resistance
8. Working of Wheatstone Bridge
Case 1: Unbalanced Condition
When the ratios of resistances are not equal:
· Potential difference exists across the galvanometer
· Current flows through the galvanometer
· The galvanometer shows deflection
This indicates that the bridge is unbalanced.
Case 2: Balanced Condition
When the ratio of resistances in both arms becomes equal:
· Potential difference across galvanometer becomes zero
· No current flows through the galvanometer
· The galvanometer shows no deflection
At this stage, the value of unknown resistance can be calculated using the balance equation.
9. Determination of Unknown Resistance
Suppose:
· R1, R2, and R3 are known
· R4 is unknown
Using balance condition:
𝑅2 × 𝑅3
𝑅 4=
𝑅1
Thus, the unknown resistance can be accurately calculated.
10. Importance of Using Ohmic Resistors
For accurate measurement:
· The resistances used must be ohmic
· Their resistance should remain constant with temperature
Devices like tungsten bulbs are non-ohmic, meaning their resistance changes with temperature.
Therefore, they are not suitable for precise resistance measurement, though they may be used for
demonstration purposes.
11. Advantages of Wheatstone Bridge
1. Provides high accuracy
2. Simple and reliable circuit
3. Independent of battery voltage
4. Can detect very small changes in resistance
5. Widely used in laboratories and industries
12. Limitations of Wheatstone Bridge
1. Not suitable for very high resistances
2. Not suitable for very low resistances
3. Requires constant temperature for accuracy
4. Non-ohmic devices cannot be used for precise balance
13. Applications of Wheatstone Bridge
1. Measurement of unknown resistance
2. Used in meter bridge
3. Used in strain gauges
4. Used in temperature sensors
5. Used in pressure sensors
6. Used in electrical testing instruments
14. Precautions
1. Connections should be tight and clean
2. Use low current to avoid heating of resistances
3. Use identical connecting wires
4. Galvanometer should be sensitive
5. Avoid using non-ohmic devices for precision
15. Conclusion
The Wheatstone bridge is an important electrical circuit used to measure unknown resistance
accurately. It works on the principle of balanced potential difference and is widely used in
scientific and industrial applications. Although ideal conditions are required for perfect balance,
the Wheatstone bridge remains one of the most reliable and fundamental circuits in physics.
Bibliography
The completion of this Physics project on Wheatstone Bridge was made possible with the help
of various sources, which provided valuable guidance, theoretical knowledge, and conceptual
clarity. The following sources were referred to during the preparation of this project:
1. Mr. Santosh Pandey, Physics Teacher
I sincerely acknowledge my Physics teacher, Mr. Santosh Pandey, for his continuous
guidance, classroom teaching, explanations, and support. His clear explanation of
electrical circuits and resistance measurement helped in understanding the concept and
working of the Wheatstone Bridge in a better and practical manner.
2. NCERT, Physics – Class XII, Part 1
National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), New Delhi.
This textbook was referred for understanding the basic theory, definitions, principles,
and balance condition of the Wheatstone Bridge as prescribed in the CBSE syllabus.
3. S. Chand & Company Ltd., Physics – Class XII
This reference book was used for detailed explanations, applications, advantages,
limitations, and numerical understanding related to Wheatstone Bridge and electrical
measuring instruments.
4. ChatGPT (OpenAI)
ChatGPT was used as an additional learning resource for conceptual clarification,
structured explanations, project writing support, and understanding practical limitations
while using non-ohmic devices like bulbs in the Wheatstone Bridge model.