Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my chemistry teacher Mrs.

Amudha for her constant guidance, motivation, moral
encouragement and sympathetic attitude towards the
success of this project.
I also want to thank the principal and the institution for
providing the necessary materials.
I would also like to extend my gratitude towards the
lab attendant, my parents and everyone who has
helped me in completing the project successfully.
DRUPAD P

Bonafide certificate
This is to certify that DRUPAD P of class XII has
successfully completed the investigatory project on
TO STUDY VARIATION OF CURRENT USING A
LDR" under the guidance of Mrs. Amudha.
This project is absolutely genuine and doesn't not
involve in any kind of plagiarism.
This is in partial fulfillment of Physics practical
examination AISSCE 2013.

Department of Physics
(AMUDHA)

ii

INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

ii

INTRODUCTION

01

APPLICATIONS

02

AIM & APPARATUS

03

THEORY

04

PROCEDURE

09

OBSERVATIONS

10

RESULT & CONCLUSION

12

SOURCES OF ERROR

13

BIBLIOGRAPHY

14

iii

INTRODUCTION
The general purpose photoconductive cell is also
known as LDR light dependent resistor. It is a type
of semiconductor and its conductivity changes with
proportional change in the intensity of light.
There are two common types of materials used to
manufacture the photoconductive cells. They
are Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) and Cadmium Selenide
(CdSe).
Extrinsic devices have impurities added, which have
a ground state energy closer to the conduction band since the electrons don't have as far to jump, lower
energy photons (i.e. longer wavelengths and lower
frequencies) are sufficient to trigger the device. Two
of its earliest applications were as part of smoke and
fire detection systems and camera light meters. The
structure is covered with glass sheet to protect it from
moisture and dust and allows only light to fall on it.

Applications
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs
are
used
for
the
mid
infrared
spectral
region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best farinfrared detectors available, and are used for infrared
astronomy and infrared spectroscopy.
Analog Applications
Camera Exposure Control
Auto Slide Focus - dual cell
Photocopy Machines - density of toner
Colorimetric Test Equipment
Densitometer
Electronic Scales - dual cell
Automatic Gain Control modulated light source
Automated Rear View Mirror
Digital Applications
Automatic Headlight Dimmer
Night Light Control
Oil Burner Flame Out
Street Light Control
Position Sensor
*LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its resistance
changes drastically for a particular light intensity.

AIM & APPARATUS

AIM:
To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit
containing a LDR, because of a variation:(a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to
illuminate the LDR. (Keeping all the lamps at a fixed
distance).
(b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed
power), used to illuminate the LDR.
APPARATUS:
Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
Connecting Wires
Source of different power rating (bulbs)
Bulb Holder
Metre scale
Multi Meter
Battery

THEORY
1.) LDR and its characteristics
When light is incident on it, a photon is absorbed and
thereby it excites an electron from valence band into
conduction band. Due to such new electrons coming up in
conduction band area, the electrical resistance of the
device decreases. Thus the LDR or photo-conductive
transducer has the resistance which is the inverse
function of radiation intensity.

0 = threshold wavelength, in meters

e = charge on one electron, in Coulombs
Ew = work function of the metal used, in Ev

Here we must note that any radiation with wavelength

greater than the value obtained in above equation
CANNOT PRODUCE any change in the resistance of this
device.
The band gap energy of Cadmium Sulphide is
2.42eV and for Cadmium Selenide it is1.74eV. Due to
such large energy gaps, both the materials have
extremely high resistivity at room temperature.

Characteristics of photoconductive cells

Now when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance
is called as dark resistance. This resistance is typically
of the order of 1013 ohms. When light falls on it, its
resistance decreases up to several kilo ohms or even
hundreds of ohms, depending on the intensity of light,
falling on it.
The spectral response characteristics of two commercial
cells were compared in our laboratory. And we found
that there is almost no response to the radiation of a
wavelength which was shorter than 300nm. It was very
interesting to note that the Cadmium Sulphide cell has a
peak response nearer or within the green color of the
spectrum within a range of 520nm. Thus it can be used
nearer to the infra-red region up to 750nm. It was found
that
the
maximum
response
of Cadmium
Sulphoselenide is in the yellow-orange range at 615nm
and also it can be used in the infra-red region up to
about 970nm.

Sensitivity
The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship
between the light falling on the device and the
resulting output signal. In the case of a photocell,
one is dealing with the relationship between the
incident light and the corresponding resistance of
the cell.

Spectral Response
Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a
photoconductive cell is dependent on the
wavelength (color) of the incident light. Each
photoconductor material type has its own unique
spectral response curve or plot of the relative
response of the photocell versus wavelength of light.

2.) luminous flux variation:

Considering the source to be a point radiating in all
directions; consider a steradian (or even a simple
sphere), take a small element dA on the steradian at a
distance r from the source. It comprises a small part
of the energy radiated (dEr).
Now, go further to a distance R (R>r) from the
source, consider the same area element dA, it
comprises a much smaller part of energy radiated
(dER).
[dEr > dER].
It varies inversely as the square of the distance.

PROCEDURE

Choose a specific position for the source and mount it

using a holder, make sure it is stable.
Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect it
to the holder as shown in the figure.
Connect the LDR, battery(6V) and the multimeter in
series.
Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable
range and measure the resistance with a bulb on.
Similarly switch to current section and move to micro
ampere in the multimeter. This gives the value of the
current.
Repeat these steps with different power sources at
different distances and note down observations.

OBSERVATIONS
The experiment has been conducted by using
various sources with different power ratings.
Voltage of the battery = 6 V
1.) 15 watts (yellow) (wavelength = 570nm)
Serial
No

DISTANCE FROM
SOURCE
(cm)

RESISTANCE
(Kilo ohm)

CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1.

50

142.5

40

2.
3.
4.

40
30
20

69
41
21

80
150
300

2.) 15 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm

Serial
No

DISTANCE FROM
SOURCE
(cm)

RESISTANCE
(Kilo ohm)

CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1.

50

51

120

2.

40

35

170

3.

30

22

270

4.

20

11

540

10

3.) 40 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm)

Serial
No

DISTANCE FROM
SOURCE
(cm)

RESISTANCE
(Kilo ohm)

CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1.

50

20

300

2.

40

13

460

3.

30

8.5

700

4.

20

4.5

1330

4.) 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

Serial
No

DISTANCE FROM
SOURCE
(cm)

RESISTANCE
(Kilo ohm)

CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1.

50

15.5

380

2.

40

10

600

3.

30

1000

4.

20

2000

11

CONCLUSION & RESULT

The LDR resistance decreases with increase in

intensity of light and hence there is an increase in
the flow of current.
There is an increase in the current as the
distance from the source decreases.
The intensity decreases as the distance from the
source increases
The error lies within the experimental limit.

12

SOURCES OF ERROR

The LDR may not be perpendicular to the source.

Connections may be faulty.

The experiment should be conducted in a dark

room.
Measurements should be taken accurately.

13

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NCERT physics class XII

Art of Electronics by paul worowitz

www.wikipedia.com/

www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/

www.ecelab.com/

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