Wheatstone Bridge
An electrical bridge network consisting of four resistor arms used to measure an unknown electrical resistance with high precision.
Governing formula
R_x = R₃ (R₂ / R₁) (when balanced: I_galvanometer = 0)
SI unit
Ω (Ohms)
In depth
When the bridge is balanced, the potential difference across the central detector arm drops to zero (V_A = V_B), allowing precise calculation of unknown resistance independent of supply voltage variations.
Examples in the real world
Precision strain gauge sensors measuring structural bending, load cells in electronic weighing scales, and RTD temperature sensors.