Wheatstone bridge drawing: The Wheatstone bridge is commonly depicted in a diamond configuration with the detector across the center nodes. True or false?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: True

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The schematic layout of a circuit often aids understanding and troubleshooting. The Wheatstone bridge's shape and labeling help students identify the supply diagonal, the detector diagonal, and the balance condition quickly.



Given Data / Assumptions:

  • Four resistors form the sides of a diamond (rhombus).
  • The supply is applied across one diagonal.
  • The detector (galvanometer, differential amplifier) is placed across the other diagonal (the center nodes).


Concept / Approach:

This conventional diamond configuration emphasizes the two series legs forming parallel branches. It also visually highlights the midpoints where the detector senses the potential difference that goes to zero at balance, making the bridge behavior intuitive.



Step-by-Step Solution:

Arrange R1–R2 as one series leg (left) and R3–R4 as the other (right).Connect the top and bottom nodes to the supply (source diagonal).Place the detector between the midpoints of the two legs (detector diagonal).At balance, the midpoint potentials are equal, and detector current is zero.


Verification / Alternative check:

The balance equation R1/R2 = R3/R4 is derived easily from the series division in each leg, which the diamond representation makes visually clear.



Why Other Options Are Wrong:

  • Choosing “False” ignores widely adopted schematic conventions in textbooks and instrumentation diagrams.


Common Pitfalls:

Miswiring detector or supply across the wrong diagonal; the diamond drawing mitigates this by making the diagonals explicit.


Final Answer:

True

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