ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As a student of Class XII, I did this project as a part of my studies

entitled “Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)”. I owe a deep sense of
gratitude to my Physics Teacher, Anshuman sir, whose valuable
advice, guidance helped me in doing this project from conception
to completion.
At the same time, I cannot forget to express my gratitude to our
school Principal for extending his generous, patronage and
constant encouragement.
Finally I am thankful to my parents for helping me economically,
and my friends for being a helping hand at every step of this
project.
SL NO. CONTENT PAGE NO.
1. AIM OF THE PROJECT 1
2. INTRODUCTION 2
3. WORKING PRINCIPLE 3
4. MATERIALS REQUIRED 5
5. THEORY 6
6. PROCEDURE 8
7. OBSERVATION 9
8. RESULT 10
9. SOURCES OF ERROR 10
10. APPLICATION OF LDR 11
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY 12
 AIM OF THE PROJECT
• AIM 1]
The aim of the project is to demonstrate the
underlying principles of electrical conduction under
the influence of light. Various applications are
possible by employing this simple principle such as:

a) automatic switching of street lamps,

b) Intruder’s alarm,
c) Morning wake up alarm,
d) Fire alarm,
e) Light intensity meters,
f) Automatic elevator doors etc. to name a few.

In this project, I have demonstrated the intruder’s

alarm in a simple manner which is easy to
understand. The heart of the project is an LDR or
Light Dependent Resistor. This project could have
been done using a photo-voltaic cell in place of LDR
but the circuit would have become complicated in
the case of photocell.

• AIM 2]
To study variation of Current using a LDR.
 INTRODUCTION
A Photoresistor or light-dependent resistor (LDR) is
a light-controlled variable resistor. The resistance
of a Photoresistor decreases with increasing
incident light intensity; in other words, it exhibits
Photoconductivity. A Photoresistor
can be applied in light-sensitive
detector circuits, and light and dark
activated switching circuits. These
resistors use pure semiconductors like
silicon or germanium. When the light falls on the
LDR, then the electrons get excited by the incident
photons and move from the valence band to the
conduction band and therefore the number of
charge carriers increases. In other words, the
conductivity goes up.

Distinction needs to be made

here between photocells and
LDRs. In a photocell, when it
is excited by light (photons),
electricity is generated. Unlike photocells, LDRs do
not generate electricity but only change their
conductivity.
 WORKING PRINCIPLE
A light dependent resistor works on the principle of
photo conductivity. Photo
conductivity is an electro-
optical phenomenon in
which the material’s
conductivity is increased
when light is absorbed by
the material. Modern
light dependent resistors
are made of materials such as Lead Sulphide, Lead
Selenide, Indium Antimonide and most commonly
Cadmium Sulphide (CdS) and Cadmium Selenide.

When light falls i.e. when the photons fall on the

material, the electrons in the valence band of the
semiconductor material are
excited to the conduction
band. These photons in the
incident light should have
energy greater than the band
gap of the semiconductor
material to make the electrons
jump from the valence band to
the conduction band. Hence when light having
enough energy strikes on the device, more and
more electrons are excited to the conduction band
which results in large number of charge carriers.
The result of this process is more and more
current starts flowing through the device when
the circuit is closed and hence it is said that the
resistance of the device has been decreased. This
is the Working principle of LDR.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
 Light Dependent resistor (LDR)
 Bulb Holder
 Bulb
 Connecting wires
 Source of different power rating
 Meter Scale
 Multimeter
 Battery
 THEORY
• 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.

Due to such large energy gaps, both the materials

have extremely high resistivity at room
temperature.

Band gap of Calcium Sulphide is 2.42 eV.

Band gap of Calcium Selenide is 1.74 eV.

• Spectral Response]
Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a photo
conductive 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.
• 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 d. A on the steradian at a
distance ‘r’ from the source. It comprises a small part
of the energy radiated. Now, go further to a distance
‘R’ (R>r) from the source, consider the same area
element. It comprises a much smaller part of energy
radiated. 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 using a
6V voltage

S.NO DISTANCE FROM CURRENT RESISTANCE

THE SOURCE (mA) =V/I=6/I
1, 10 6.25 0.88
2, 15 4.75 1.26
3, 20 3.25 1.84
4, 25 2.50 2.40
5, 30 2.25 2.67
 RESULT
It is seen that the resistance of the LDR
goes on decreasing as the amount of light
incident increases.

It is seen that the resistance goes on

increasing as the distance keeps
increasing.

The error lies within the experimental limit.

The intensity decreases as the distance

from the source increases.

SOURCES OF ERROR
The LDR may not be perpendicular to the
source.

Connections made maybe faulty.

Measurements must be taken accurately.

The experiment should be conducted in a

dark room.
 APPLICATIONS OF LDR
The Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) used for auto
contrast and brightness control in television
receivers.

The LDR is used in the infrared astronomy

The LDR is used in optical coding.

Used in light activated control circuits.

Used in light failure alarm circuits and used in light

meter.

The LDR used in smoke detectors.

Used in the security alarm.

The LDR also used in street light control circuits.

It is used in camera light meters.

Used in photosensitive relay.

It is also used as a proximity switch.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
• http://www.academia.edu

• http://www.scribd.com

• http://www.polytechnichub.com

• http://www.electronic-diy.com