Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet with answers

Free printable Wheatstone bridge & strain gauges worksheet: 6 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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1.Easy
+−12 VR1​ = 60 ΩR2​ = 800 ΩR3​ = 800 ΩR4​ = 300 Ωab+−

In the bridge shown, Vs = 12 V, R₁ = 60 Ω and R₂ = 800 Ω. Find the voltage Va of node a with respect to the negative supply rail.

Vs = 12 VR1 = 60 ΩR2 = 800 ΩR3 = 800 ΩR4 = 300 Ω
Va = V
2.Easy
+−9 VR1​ = 100 ΩR2​ = 200 ΩR3​ = 20 ΩR4​ = ?abG0

The Wheatstone bridge in the diagram is balanced: the galvanometer reads zero. R₁ = 100 Ω, R₂ = 200 Ω and R₃ = 20 Ω. Find the unknown resistor R4.

R1 = 100 ΩR2 = 200 ΩR3 = 20 Ω
R4 = Ω
3.Medium
+−15 V300 Ω300 Ω + ΔR300 Ω300 Ωab+−182.9 mV

A bridge with four 300 Ω arms is supplied with 15 V. When the sensor R₂ changes, the output reads Vab = 182.9 mV. Find the exact change ΔR of R₂.

Vs = 15 VR = 300 ΩVab = 182.9 mV
ΔR = Ω
4.Medium
+−10 VR1​ = 250 ΩR2​ = 600 ΩR3​ = 100 ΩR4​ = 200 Ωab+−Rth​ = ?

Find the Thévenin resistance Rth of the bridge shown, seen from the output terminals a and b.

Vs = 10 VR1 = 250 ΩR2 = 600 ΩR3 = 100 ΩR4 = 200 Ω
Rth = Ω
5.Hard
+−2.5 V350 Ω − ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω − ΔRab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 350 Ω arms is excited with 2.5 V and has four active gauges, two in tension and two in compression (full bridge). The gauge factor is 2.1 and the strain is 1200 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 2.5 VGF = 2.1ε = 1200 µε
Vo = mV
6.Hard
+−3 V350 Ω − ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω + ΔR350 Ω − ΔRab+−Vo​ = ?

A bridge with 350 Ω arms is excited with 3 V and has four active gauges, two in tension and two in compression (full bridge). The gauge factor is 2 and the strain is 800 µε. Find the bridge output Vo in mV.

Vs = 3 VGF = 2ε = 800 µε
Vo = mV

Answer key

  1. 1. Va = 11.16 V
  2. 2. R4 = 40 Ω
  3. 3. ΔR = 15 Ω
  4. 4. Rth = 243.1 Ω
  5. 5. Vo = 6.3 mV
  6. 6. Vo = 4.8 mV

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