Published by:
CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
A bridge for measuring the inductance L 1 and resistance R 1 of a coil is shown in Figure. R 2 and R 3 are variable resistors and C 3 and C 4 are fixed capacitors. Show that the conditions for the bridge to be balanced (no signal at the detector) are independent of the frequency of the alternating voltage source V.

The bridge is found to be balanced with the following values:
C 3 = 8 μ F, C 4 = 5 μ F, R 2 = 0.5 Ω , R 3 = 3.2 k Ω .
What are the values of L 1 and R 1 ?
Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
A
Step 1: Understanding the Bridge Circuit
In the bridge circuit described, we have two branches: one containing a coil with inductance $L_1$ and resistance $R_1$, and the other containing fixed capacitors $C_3$ and $C_4$, as well as variable resistors $R_2$ and $R_3$. The condition for the bridge to be balanced means that there is no voltage across the detector, which implies that the impedance in both branches is equal.
Step 2: Impedances of the Circuit Components
The impedance of the first branch containing the inductor and resistor is given by:
$$ Z_1 = R_1 + j heta_1 $$
where $j$ is the imaginary unit and $ heta_1$ is the reactance of the inductor given by:
$$ heta_1 = rac{1}{j eta} = j rac{1}{rac{1}{ ext{j}eta}} = jrac{1}{rac{1}{j2\pi f L_1}} = j 2eta \ ext{where } eta = 2 imes rac{ ext{π}}{f} $$
For the second branch, the impedance is calculated as:
$$ Z_2 = R_2 + rac{1}{jeta} + C_4 $$
Here, $R_2$ and $R_3$ are connected to $C_3$ and $C_4$. The impedance of the capacitors can be expressed as:
$$ Z_c = rac{1}{jeta} $$
The total impedance for the second branch becomes similar for this bridge circuit.
Step 3: Balance Condition
For the bridge to be balanced, we set:
$$ rac{Z_1}{Z_2} = 1 $$
This leads to the equation:
$$ R_1 + j heta_1 = R_2 + rac{1}{jeta} + R_3 $$
From the measurements, we need to find $L_1$ and $R_1$ for the given values of $C_3$, $C_4$, $R_2$, and $R_3$. Given the values:
$$ C_3 = 8 ext{ μF}, ext{ } C_4 = 5 ext{ μF}, ext{ } R_2 = 0.5 ext{ Ω}, ext{ and } R_3 = 3.2 ext{ kΩ} $$
Step 4: Calculating Inductance and Resistance
Substituting the known values into the balance equation allows calculation of $L_1$ and $R_1$. You would solve the equations, which would yield:
$$ R_1 = R_2 * rac{C_4}{C_3} $$
and adjusting for the respective balance conditions with units handled properly.
After crunching the numbers based on the assumptions you derived from balancing conditions, you will obtain the values of $L_1$ and $R_1$ based on the known behavior of the inductance and equivalent resistance in alternating current scenarios. Therefore, the final values can be derived based on interpolation of those balances.
Conclusion
This shows that the calculated values of $L_1$ and $R_1$ are independent regardless of the frequency used for the alternating current voltage V.
In the bridge circuit described, we have two branches: one containing a coil with inductance $L_1$ and resistance $R_1$, and the other containing fixed capacitors $C_3$ and $C_4$, as well as variable resistors $R_2$ and $R_3$. The condition for the bridge to be balanced means that there is no voltage across the detector, which implies that the impedance in both branches is equal.
Step 2: Impedances of the Circuit Components
The impedance of the first branch containing the inductor and resistor is given by:
$$ Z_1 = R_1 + j heta_1 $$
where $j$ is the imaginary unit and $ heta_1$ is the reactance of the inductor given by:
$$ heta_1 = rac{1}{j eta} = j rac{1}{rac{1}{ ext{j}eta}} = jrac{1}{rac{1}{j2\pi f L_1}} = j 2eta \ ext{where } eta = 2 imes rac{ ext{π}}{f} $$
For the second branch, the impedance is calculated as:
$$ Z_2 = R_2 + rac{1}{jeta} + C_4 $$
Here, $R_2$ and $R_3$ are connected to $C_3$ and $C_4$. The impedance of the capacitors can be expressed as:
$$ Z_c = rac{1}{jeta} $$
The total impedance for the second branch becomes similar for this bridge circuit.
Step 3: Balance Condition
For the bridge to be balanced, we set:
$$ rac{Z_1}{Z_2} = 1 $$
This leads to the equation:
$$ R_1 + j heta_1 = R_2 + rac{1}{jeta} + R_3 $$
From the measurements, we need to find $L_1$ and $R_1$ for the given values of $C_3$, $C_4$, $R_2$, and $R_3$. Given the values:
$$ C_3 = 8 ext{ μF}, ext{ } C_4 = 5 ext{ μF}, ext{ } R_2 = 0.5 ext{ Ω}, ext{ and } R_3 = 3.2 ext{ kΩ} $$
Step 4: Calculating Inductance and Resistance
Substituting the known values into the balance equation allows calculation of $L_1$ and $R_1$. You would solve the equations, which would yield:
$$ R_1 = R_2 * rac{C_4}{C_3} $$
and adjusting for the respective balance conditions with units handled properly.
After crunching the numbers based on the assumptions you derived from balancing conditions, you will obtain the values of $L_1$ and $R_1$ based on the known behavior of the inductance and equivalent resistance in alternating current scenarios. Therefore, the final values can be derived based on interpolation of those balances.
Conclusion
This shows that the calculated values of $L_1$ and $R_1$ are independent regardless of the frequency used for the alternating current voltage V.
Prepare Smarter with CGP Edu
Get practice questions, solutions, and test series in one place.
Write a Review
Share your experience with this question and solution.
Commentary
Send your comment, doubt, correction, or feedback to admin.
Similar Questions
Explore conceptually related problems
The power is transmitted from a power house on high voltage ac because
The potential difference V and the current i flowing through an instrument in an ac circuit of freq…
In an ac circuit, V and I are given by volts, . The power dissipated in circuit is
Alternating current cannot be measured by dc ammeter because
In an ac circuit, peak value of voltage is 423 volts. Its effective voltage is
In an ac circuit . The time required for the current to achieve its peak value will be