AISSCE

DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUBY PARK,

KOLKATA

PHYSICS PRACTICAL EXAMINATION 2022-23

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
TOPIC- TO STUDY VARIATION OF CURRENT USING A LDR

SUBMITTED BY: Soumyabrata Chakraborty

CLASS: XII-L
ROLL NO.: 33
BOARD ROLL NO.:
 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this “Physics Investigatory Project” on the

topic “TO STUDY VARIATION OF CURRENT USING AN LDR”
has been successfully completed by Soumyabrata Chakraborty
of class XII a Bonafide student at Delhi Public School, Ruby Park
Kolkata, in the Physics laboratory during the session 2023- 24
as per the CBSE guidelines for the AISSCE Practical
Examination 2024.

Teacher-In-Charge External Examiner

Date: Date:
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my sincere gratitude towards my Physics teacher, Ms.

Ivy Dutta who has given us the opportunity and space to
explore new avenues for the Physics project. I would also like to
express my gratitude towards our Principal, Mrs. Joyoti
Chaudhuri, DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUBY PARK, KOLKATA for
the encouragement and facilities that she provided us with.
 INDEX
1. Title page
2. Certificate
3. Acknowledgement
4. Index
5. Introduction
6. Application
7. Experiment
a. Objective
b. Apparatus
c. Theory
d. Procedure
e. Observation
f. Result and Conclusion
g. Sources of error
8. Bibliography
 Introduction

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 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:
1. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
2. Connecting Wires
3. Source of different power rating (bulbs)
4. Bulb Holder
5. Metre scale
6. Multi Meter
7. 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.

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 Photoconduclive Cells
Now, when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance is
called as dark resistance. This resistance is typically of the
order of 10.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 eta 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.
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.
 PROCEDURE

1. Choose a specific position for the source and mount it

using a holder. Make sure it is stable.
2. Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect
it to the holder as shown in the figure.
3. Connect the LDR battery (6V) and the multimeter in series.
4. Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable
range and measure the resistance with a bulb on.
5. Similarly switch to the current section and move to micro
ampere in the multimeter. This gives the value of the
current.
6. Repeat these steps with different power sources at
different distances and note down the observations.
 OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using various sources

with different power ratings. Voltage of the battery= 6V.

15 watts(yellow)(wavelength=570 nm):
Seri DISTANCE RESISTAN CURRENT VOLTAGE
al FROM THE CE
(micro- (V)
SOURCE(cm)
No. (Kilo-ohm) ampere)
1

5
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:
⚫ https://www.electronicsforu.com/
⚫ https://www.watelectronics.com/
⚫ NCERT Textbook for Physics XII