PHY 231 Lab 6

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The University of Tennessee, Knoxville *

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231

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Mechanical Engineering

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Dec 6, 2023

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Wheatstone Bridge Lab by Caleb Hakemeier PHY 231, Section 001 Janith H. Jayakodi Lab performed 10/18/23 Report submitted 10/25/23
Abstract: The physical concept under investigation was the voltage difference across a wheatstone bridge. To study this principle, a wheatstone bridge was set up with a sliding contact and a voltmeter in order to set the resistance values and observe the voltage. A total of 5 different coils, each with different set resistance values were used. The resistance values where the voltage equaled zero were recorded for each coil, and a percentage error was calculated using the anticipated value. Results: Table 1. Coil Resistor Values The above table shows the calculated resistance values for each of the coils. Given the resistivity, length, and diameter of each of the materials/coils, the cross sectional area and resistance were calculated, using the equations and . 𝐴 = π? 2 𝑅 = ρ · 𝐿 𝐴 Table 2. Recorded Values The above table shows the values recorded from the lab. For each coil, the sliding contact was rotated until the voltmeter read 0. The n1 value was recorded when the voltage met 0, and 10-n1 was recorded by simply taking n1 and subtracting it from 10. Rs was a value that we set to
try and find the correct n1 to, which was usually 1, but was altered to different values later to see how changing its value could affect accuracy. Finally, Rx was calculated using the following formula, . Once Rx was found, the percentage error was calculated, and the 𝑅 𝑥 = 𝑛 1 (10−𝑛 1 ) 𝑅 ? results are shown below. It should be noted that there were “sweet spot” resistances that yielded more accurate readings. The altering of Rs to these “sweet spots” was only performed on the last 2 coils. Table 3. Measured Series Resistor Values It should be observed that there is a large margin of error between the measured and calculated results. Questions: The lab was definitely extremely confusing at first. It definitely got better once I understood what was happening but up until then I literally had no clue where to start. The large margin of error was also worrying considering how everyone had very large errors. It would be %.02 and %1, respectively. The fact that this presents is that the probable percent error is inversely proportional to the value of the measurement. True, false, true, false, true Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes Conclusion: In conclusion, the measured resistance for the bridge and the calculated resistance were not very close to each other, with both values ranging from around 10 to 20 percent error.
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However, this lab did a fair job at demonstrating how balancing out the resistors can create a 0 voltage reading, and showing how a wheatstone bridge is a comparative device. The source of error is most likely from the temperature change in the coils. Since the circuit was left on for a little while in each of the coils, as well as physical touch on the coils, the temperature was most certainly altered and is the most likely to be the source of error.