Which measuring instrument is commonly used with a Wheatstone bridge circuit?

The Wheatstone bridge is a circuit used to measure unknown resistances by balancing two legs of a bridge circuit. The instrument that is most commonly used in conjunction with a Wheatstone bridge is a galvanometer.

A galvanometer is a sensitive instrument designed to detect and measure small currents. In the context of the Wheatstone bridge, it allows for precise measurements of the current flowing through the bridge. When the bridge is balanced, the galvanometer shows zero deflection, indicating that the ratio of the resistances in the two branches is equal. This null method of measurement is particularly advantageous as it minimizes the effect of external factors on the measurement and improves accuracy.

While voltmeters, ammeters, and oscilloscopes are useful tools in electrical measurements, they do not operate in the same way as the galvanometer when it comes to the specific application of measuring resistance in a Wheatstone bridge. For example, a voltmeter measures the voltage drop and requires a larger current to operate accurately, which is not ideal for the high sensitivity required in a Wheatstone bridge setup.