ODISHA ADARSHA VIDYALAYA

. BUDHAPAL , DEOGARH

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT REPORT

To study the variation in current flowing in a circuit containing a LDR , because of
variation.
In partial fulfilment of AISSCE 2023-2024
Physics practical (042)

Submitted by: submitted to : Rajashree Swain

Class – XII
Roll no-

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that “ physics investigatory project ” on
the topic LDR has been successfully completed by
of class XII under the guidance of Miss Rajashree Swain
in particular fulfilment of the curriculum of Central Board
of Secondary Education (CBSE ) leading to the award of
annual examination of the year 2023-2024.

Teacher In-Charge. External Examiner

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

I have taken efforts in this project. However, it would not

have been possible without the kind support and help of
many individuals.
I would like to thank my principal Mr. Manmohan Sahu
and school for providing me with facilities required to do
my project
I am highly indebted to my Physics teacher Miss
Rajashree Swain for her invaluable guidance which has
sustained my efforts in all the stages of this project work.
I would also like to thank my parents for their continuous
support and encouragement.
My thanks and appreciations also go to my fellow
classmates and laboratory assistant in developing the
project and to the people who have willingly helped me
out with their abilities.
 INDEX.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE

INTRODUCTION. 01
APPLICATIONS. 02
AIM & APPARATUS. 03
THEORY. 04
PROCEDURE. 07
OBSERVATIONS. 08
RESULT & CONCLUSION. 09
SOURCES OF ERROR. 09
BIBLIOGRAPHY. 10
 1. 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.
 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.
 AIM & APPARATUS

AIM:
To study the variations, in current flowing in a circu containing a LDR, because of a variation:-
(a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used ‘illuminate’ the LDR. (Keeping all the lamps
at a fix distance).
(b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fix power), used to ‘illuminate’ the LDR.

APPARATUS:
Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
Connecting Wires
Source of different power rating (bulbs)
Bulb Holder
Metre scale
Multi Meter
Battery
. 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.

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 is 1.74eV.
Due to such large energy gaps, both the materials have extremely high resistivity at room
temperature.

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.

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.

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.
 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 A 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 aA, it
comprises a much smaller part of energy radiated (dER).
[dEr > dER]. 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 by using various sources with different power ratings.
Voltage of the battery = 6 V
1.) 15 watts (yellow) (wavelength = 570nm)

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

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

4.) 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

 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.

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.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

NCERT physics class XII

Art of Electronics by paul worowitz
www.wikipedia.com/
www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/
www.ecelab.com/