In a Wheatstone bridge, if one of the resistors is changed, how does it affect the balance condition?

1 question

1 item

Q: In a Wheatstone bridge, if one of the resistors is changed, how does it affect the balance condition?

Solution: Changing one resistor can either balance or unbalance the bridge depending on the new value relative to the others.

Steps: 7

Step 1: Understand that a Wheatstone bridge has four resistors arranged in a diamond shape.
Step 2: Know that the bridge is balanced when the ratio of the two resistors on one side is equal to the ratio of the two resistors on the other side.
Step 3: Identify the resistors in the bridge as R1, R2, R3, and R4.
Step 4: The balance condition is given by the formula: R1/R2 = R3/R4.
Step 5: If you change one resistor (let's say R1), you need to check how this new value compares to the other resistors.
Step 6: If the new value of R1 keeps the ratio R1/R2 equal to R3/R4, the bridge remains balanced.
Step 7: If the new value of R1 changes the ratio, the bridge becomes unbalanced.