In the balanced condition, the values of the resistances of the four arms of a Wheatstone bridge are shown in the figure below. The resistance R3 has temperature coefficient 0.0004°C−1. If the temperature of R3 is increased by 100°C, the voltage developed between S and T will be ____ volt.
Answer: 0.27
Solution
From the figure R1=60Ω,R2=100Ω,R3=300Ω,R4=500Ω with a 50V supply. Heating R3 by 100∘C gives R3′=300(1+0.0004×100)=312Ω. The branch currents become I1=37250 and I2=60050, so VS−VT=312I1−500I2≈41.94−41.67≈0.27V. Official answer range 0.26–0.28 V.