VARIATION OF CURRENT

USING A LDR
A DISSERTATION REPORT
SUBMITTED TOWARDS PARTIAL FULFILLMENT
OF
C.B.S.E. PRACTICAL

Under the guidance of

Ms. Manisha
P.G.T. PHYSICS

Submitted By-
Himesh Jain
Roll no:_____________

DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL, FARIDABAD
 CANDIDATE’S DECLARATION

I hereby certify that the work which is being presented in this file entitled
“To Study The Variation Of Current Using a LDR” in partial
fulfillment of C.B.S.E. Practical examination and submitted in the
Department of Physics of V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL, Faridabad is an
authentic record of my own work carried under the supervision of Ms.
Manisha, P.G.T.- Department of PHYSICS, V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL,
Faridabad, Haryana.
I certify that the above statements made are correct to the best of my
knowledge and belief.

Name - Himesh Jain

Roll no. : ______________
 Department of PHYSICS
V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL- Faridabad

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project entitled as
“To Study The Variation Of Current Using a LDR” is a record of
bonafied work carried out by Himesh Jain under my supervision &
guidance in partial fulfillment of the Practical examination from
V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL, Faridabad.

I have gone through the project work done by him & the work has been
found quite satisfactory.

Ms. Manisha
(P.G.T. PHYSICS)
Department of PHYSICS
V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL, Faridabad

The viva-voice examination of Bhawnahas been held on _________________.

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express our gratitude towards all the people who have
contributed their precious time and efforts to help me in completing this project,
without whom it would not have been possible for me to understand and
implement the project.

I would like to thank Mrs. Preeti Saini (Academic Head),

V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL School and Ms. Manisha(P.G.T.), Department of
PHYSICS, for his guidance, support, motivation and encouragement throughout
the period this work was carried out. His readiness for consultation at all times,
his educative comments, his concern and assistance have been invaluable.

Name: Himesh Jain

Roll no. : ______________
V.M.SR.SEC.SCHOOL, Faridabad
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i

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

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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.

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Applications
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the
mid infrared spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best far-
infrared 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.

2
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
Metrescale
MultiMeter
Battery

3
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.

λ0 = 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.

4
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.

5
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.

6
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.

7
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.

8
 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)

Seria DISTANCE RESISTANC CURRENT

l No FROM SOURCE E (micro
(cm) (Kilo ohm) ampere)
1. 50 142.5 40
2. 40 69 80
3. 30 41 150
4. 20 21 300

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

Seria DISTANCE RESISTANC CURRENT

l No FROM SOURCE E (micro
(cm) (Kilo ohm) ampere)

1. 50 51 120
2. 40 35 170
3. 30 22 270
4. 20 11 540

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

Seria DISTANCE RESISTANC CURRENT

l No FROM SOURCE E (micro
(cm) (Kilo ohm) 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)

Seria DISTANCE RESISTANC CURRENT

l No FROM SOURCE E (micro
(cm) (Kilo ohm) ampere)

1. 50 15.5 380
2. 40 10 600
3. 30 6 1000
4. 20 3 2000

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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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