Liew Jin Ming

Physics Laboratory Report

Determining the internal resistance of a cell

Aim
To determine the internal resistance of a cell

Apparatus
The apparatus required are a voltmeter, a dry cell, an ammeter, a rheostat, a multimeter, wires

Safety
-Make sure to connect the wires properly to prevent accidents

-Connect the ammeter and voltmeter correctly to prevent short circuits

Variables
Independent variable: External resistance of the circuit

Dependent variable: Current and voltage

Control variable: number of dry cells

Method
The apparatus is set up as shown in the diagram. The rheostat is then adjusted to 2Ω using a
multimeter before connecting to the circuit. After adjusting the rheostat, connect it to the circuit.
The current and voltage shown is measured and recorded. The experiment is repeated using 4Ω, 6Ω,
8Ω, 10Ω, 12Ω and each measurement is repeated three times. The rheostat is adjusted while
separated from the circuit before connecting to the circuit.
Results

Resistance/Ω Current/A Average Voltage/V Average

1 2 3 current/A 1 2 3 voltage/V
2 0.67 0.70 0.6 0.66 1.36 1.39 1.30 1.35
4 0.34 0.34 0.31 0.33 1.42 1.44 1.37 1.41
6 0.23 0.23 0.21 0.22 1.44 1.46 1.40 1.43
8 0.17 0.17 0.16 0.17 1.46 1.47 1.42 1.45
10 0.13 0.14 0.13 0.13 1.47 1.48 1.44 1.46
12 0.11 0.11 0.11 0.11 1.47 1.48 1.45 1.47

Graph

V against I
1.48
f(x) = − 0.21087160262418 x + 1.48526866604186
1.46
1.44
1.42
1.4
1.38
1.36
1.34
1.32
1.3
1.28
0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7

Calculation
V =−IR+ E
y=mx+c
m=−R c=E
m=−0.2109 c=1.4853
R=0.2109Ω E=1.4853V

Units
-Voltage is V

-Current is A

-Resistance and internal resistance are Ω

Formula
V =−IR+ E
V =IR
V
m= =R
I

Conclusion
Based on the experiment, the internal resistance of the cell is 0.21Ω and the E is 1.49V. The result is
accurate because the battery used is a 1.5V battery.

Reliability
-The instantaneous reading of the ammeter and voltmeter cannot be taken

-The wire used has a high resistance, hence accurate result cannot be obtained

Improvement
-Use logger-pro to obtain instantaneous reading for more accurate result

-Use a thicker wire which has less resistance

Hypothesis
The voltage produced by the cell is lowered than the electromotive force because of internal
resistance inside the cell

Sources
- prezi.com. (2020). Phys II lab : Internal Resistance of a Battery. [online] Available at:
https://prezi.com/x71vtdsalllx/phys-ii-lab-internal-resistance-of-a-battery/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2020].

- NUSTEM. (2020). Measuring the EMF and Internal Resistance of a Cell | NUSTEM. [online]
Available at: https://nustem.uk/activity/emf-and-internal-resistance/ [Accessed 1 Mar. 2020].

- BBC Bitesize. (2020). Finding the EMF and internal resistance of a cell - Electrical sources and
internal resistance - Higher Physics Revision - BBC Bitesize. [online] Available at:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/bitesize/guides/zxx66sg/revision/2 [Accessed 1 Mar. 2020].

Another method
-By comparing the output voltage of the battery terminals when connected to two different known
loads