TOPIC: LDR CIRCUIT

AN INVESTIGATORY PROJECT ON
PHYSICS
AS PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF AISSCE
CURRICULUM 2019-2020

SUBMITTED BY:
ALAKESH DAS
CLASS: XII-SCIENCE
ROLL NO:
REGD NO:

PRAGJYOTISH SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL,

WEST BORAGAON, GUWAHATI-33
 Index
1. AIM
2. INTRODUCTION
3. THEORY
4. APPARATUS REQUIRED
5. PROCEDURE
6. OBSERVATION
7. PRECAUTION
8. CONCLUSION
9. APPLICATION
10. BIBLIOGRAPHY
 Certificate
This is to certify that, ALAKESH DAS a
student of CLASS XII (SCIENCE) OF
PRAGJYOTISH SENIOR SECONDARY
SCHOOL has completed the investigatory
project called LDR CIRCUIT physics
project curriculum within the stipulated
time following standard methodology.

Signature of Principal Signature of External

Signature of Internal
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude to Mrs. Sumi

Bordoloi, PGT, Physics, PRAGJYOTISH
SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL, for her
guidance, supervision and support to out
this assignment. I am also thankful to Mr.
MRITUNJAY SHUKLA, Principal,
PRAGJYOTISH SENIOR
SECONDARYSCHOOL, for providing the
required support and facilities. My family
member’s encouragement also played an
important role in this assignment.
I acknowledge with thanks
ALAKESH DAS
Aim:

To study the variations in current, flowing in

a circuit containing an LDR, because of a
variation-
• in the power of the incandescent lamp
used to "illuminate" the LDR
(keeping all the lamps fixed distance).
• In the distance of an incandescent lamp
(of fixed power) used to “illuminate" the
LDR..
 INTRODUCTION
LDR, also known as a photo resistor is a light
controlled variable resistor. A LDR can be applied in light
sensitive detector circuits, and light and dark activated
switching circuits.
It is made up of a high resistance semiconductor. In
the dark, a LDR can have a resistance as high as a few
mega ohms, while in light, to as low as a few hundred
ohms. If incident light in a LDR exceeds a certain
frequency, photons absorbed by the semiconductor give
bound electrons enough energy to jump into the
conduction band.
A LDR can either be intrinsic or extrinsic. An intrinsic
semiconductor has its own charge carriers and is not an
efficient semiconductor.
Extrinsic semi conductors have impurities called
dopants whose ground energy state is close to
conduction band
 THEORY
LDR (light dependent resistor) or a photo resistor is a
device that is sensitive to light. Its resistance varies
according to the intensity of light incident on it. It is
made from a semi conductor material with light resistors
to have light sensitive properties. One such material is
cadmium sulphide.
Snake like tracks are made of cadmium sulphide on
thin metal films. LDR has a high resistance due to the fact
that the majorities of electrons are locked into the crystal
lattice and are not free to move. As light falls on the
lattice, some of the electrons get sufficient energy to
break free the crystal lattice to conduct electricity.
A typical LDR has a resistance of 1 mega ohm in total
darkness and a few hundred ohms in bright light.
 PROCEDURE
• To study variations in current flowing in a circuit
containing a LDR because of a variation:

• In the distance of an incandescent lump (of fixed

power) used to illuminate the LDR.
I. Assemble the circuit
II. First keep the lamp switched off. Plug in the key K.
III. Observe and record voltmeter and milli ammeter
readings.
IV. Calculate the reference measurement of LDR
resistance R.
V. Add this value of resistance to oll subsequent
measurements. This ensures that background
illumination has been taken into account
VI. Set up a lamp on a fixed stand in vertical position
facing LDR. Adjust LDR normally below the lamp at about
10 cm (say).
VII. Observe milli ammeter and voltmeter readings.
VIII. Changing the distance between lamp and LDR by 15
cm (say) repeat step vii). Record your observation and
calculate current of LDR at different distances of the
lamp.

• In the power of incandescent lamp, used to

illuminate the LDR. (keeping all the lamps at a fixed
distance)

I. Repeat all the steps in the above procedure till point

v).
II. Now set up a lamp on a fixed stand in vertical
position facing LDR. Adjust LDR normally below the
lamp at about 10 cm.
III. Observe milli ammeter and voltmeter readings.
IV. Keep the distance fixed and LDR at about 10 cm,
change the lamp of different power. Record your
observation and circuit diagram, calculate variations
in current containing LDR.
 OBSERVATION
• Variation in current of LDR with distance
S Distance between Voltmeter Milliammeters
No. LDR and the source Reading Reading
d (cm) V (volts) I (mA)
1. 20 9 1.12
2. 16 9 3.25
3. 12 9 4.13
4. 8 9 5.58
5. 4 9 7.02

• Variation in current of LDR with lamps of different

power, keeping distance fixed.
S Distance Source Voltmeter Milliammeters
No. between LDR (bulb) Reading Reading
and the Of power V (volts) I (mA)
source d(cm)
inputs
1. 20 25 9 1.12
2. 16 40 9 3.25
3. 12 60 9 4.13
4. 8 100 9 5.58
5. 4 200 9 7.02
 PRECAUTIONS

I. LDR is placed normally to the light source so

the angle of incidence of light rays remains
constant and normal throughout the
experiment.
II. All the connections should be made tight.
 CONCLUSION
Thus, we can conclude that as the distance
increases, the current flowing in a circuit containing a
LDR increased.

We can also conclude that as the power of lamp

changes, the current flowing in a circuit containing a LDR
Decreased.

Hence, LDR is very useful and we must make the

best use of it.
 APPLICATIONS
• They are used in some dynamic compressors
together with a small incandescent lamp to control
gain reduction.
• A common usage of this application can be found in
many guitar amplifiers.
• The use of CdS and CdSe LDRs is severely restricted
in Europe due to the RoHS ban on cadmium.
• Lead sulphide LDRs are used for mid infrared
spectral region.

■ Used for infrared astronomy

■ Used for infrared spectroscopy.
■ Used in alarm devices
■ Used in solar street lamps
■ Used in solar road stumps.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

• Comprehensive Practical Physics for CBSE 12 –

Laxmi Publications
• V.K Physics,Class 12 – Volume: 2
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.google.co.in