PHY 108: General Physics II Practical

EXPERIMENT 001D

The figure above is a circuit diagram of an experimental set up for the determination of the
internal resistance of a cell, B, of e.m.f. E = 1.5V. The cell is connected in series with an
ammeter, A, and a resistance Box, R. With the resistance box set at R1 and the key closed, the
current, I1, in the circuit is read at the ammeter A.
This procedure is repeated five times by increasing the value of R each time.

Fig. 3(a) and Fid. 3(b) respectively show the values of Ri and 1i where i = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6.
𝐸
(i) Read and record the values of R and the corresponding values of I. Evaluate in
𝐼

each case
(ii) Tabulate your readings.
𝐸
(iii) Plot a graph of 𝐼 on the vertical axis and R on the horizontal axis, starting both axes

from the origin (0.0).

(iv) Determine the slope, s, of the graph and the intercept, c, on the vertical axis.
(v) State two precaution you would take if you were to perform this experiment in the
laboratory.
B(i) What is internal resistance of a cell?
(ii) A cell has an e.m.f. of 3V. When it is connected across a resistor of resistance
4. A current of 0.5. A passes through the circuit. Calculate the internal resistance
of the cell.
PHY 108: General Physics II Practical