Wheatstone bridge fundamentals: A classic Wheatstone bridge consists of four resistors arranged purely in parallel. State whether this statement is true or false.

Introduction / Context:
Wheatstone bridges are foundational circuits in electrical measurements, especially for determining unknown resistances and for sensing using strain gauges, RTDs, and other transducers. Understanding how the four resistors are connected is essential for analyzing balance conditions and deriving bridge equations.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The statement claims a Wheatstone bridge consists of four resistors connected in parallel.
• Standard Wheatstone bridge topology uses four resistors, a voltage source across one diagonal, and a detector (galvanometer or differential amplifier) across the other diagonal.
• No special variants (e.g., Kelvin bridge) are implied.

Concept / Approach:

A proper Wheatstone bridge has two series legs that form a diamond. Each leg has two resistors in series; the pair of legs are then connected in parallel between the source terminals. The detector is placed between the midpoints of the two series legs. Thus, the overall network is neither “four in parallel” nor “four in simple series,” but a specific series–parallel diamond.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

At balance (no detector current), the condition R1/R2 = R3/R4 holds. This ratio relationship arises from series division in each leg, not from four parallel branches. If all four were in parallel, there would be no midpoints nor a meaningful balance condition across a detector.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Choosing “True” ignores the diamond series–parallel nature of the bridge.

Common Pitfalls:

Confusing “two legs in parallel” with “four elements all in parallel.” The bridge has two parallel branches, but each branch contains two series resistors, which is the key distinction.

Final Answer:

False