SRI CHAITANYA TECHNO

PERUMBAKKAM

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

“To study the Variations in Current flowing in a

Circuit containing a LDR’’

Submitted By:

P.Nidhurshek
Class 12
(Sr.CIPL II)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I express my gratitude towards my teacher Mr. Lokeshwara for his
extended guidance and support for completion of this project work.

I would give my special thanks to Mr. D. Chiranjeevi Principal of Sri

Chaitanya Techno School Perumbakkam for his great support by
motivating and encouraging in every endeavor of ours.

I want to thank my friends for their contribution and co-operation.

A special thanks to CBSE for the scheme of project introduction to make

students discover their inbuilt abilities.

Last but not least I would like to thank my Parents for their love and
support.

Signature: -

Date: -

Name of the student: - Nidhurshek Prabakaran

Class - XII (Sr.CIPL II)

Name of the School - Sri Chaitanya Techno School Perumbakkam

 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that the project report entitled “To Study the
Variations in Current flowing in a Circuit containing a LDR”
submitted by NIDHURSHEK PRABAKARAN of class XII (Sr. CIPL-
II). This project is considered as a part of practical exam of AISSCE
2024 Physics conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education, is a
bonafide record of project work carried out under our guidance and
supervision at Sri Chaitanya Techno School Perumbakkam.

This project is evaluated on: -

INTERNAL EXAMINER NAME: - ______________ SIGNATURE: -

HEAD OF INSTITUTION NAME: -______________ SIGNATURE: -

 INDEX

1. ABSTRACT

2. OBJECTIVE

3. THEORY

4. MATERIAL REQUIRED

5. CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

6. PROCEDURE

7. OBSERVATION

8. APPLICATION CONCLUSION

9. REFERENCE

Abstract: -
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.

Objective: -

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 an incandescent lamp, (of fixed power), used to ‘illuminate’
the LDR.

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 photoconductive 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.
2.) 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.
3.) 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.
 4.) 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.

Materials Required: -

• Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)

• Connecting Wires
• Source of different power rating (bulbs)
 • Bulb Holder

Circuit Diagram: -

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
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.

1.) 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

2.) Digital Applications

• Automatic Headlight Dimmer

• Night Light Control
• Oil Burner Flame Out
• Street Light Control
• Position Sensor

Conclusion

• 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.
References

• NCERT physics class XII

• Art of Electronics by Paul Worowitz
• www.wikipedia.com/
• www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/
• www.ecelab.com/