S.V.M.

PUBLIC
SCHOOL

SUBMITTED TO:

Purushotam Sir

XII(B)-SCIENCE

Physics
Project
AISSCE 2015-16
SUBMITTED BY: Mr.
Aayush Tambi (H.O.D. Physcis )

To Study
Various
Factors On
Which The
Internal

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that AAYUSH TAMBI a student of class 12
has successfully completed the research project on the topic
To Study Various Factors On Which The Internal Resistance
/EMF Of A Cell Depend under the guidance of Mr. Purushotam

Khandelwal (subject teacher).

This project is absolutely genuine and does not indulge in
plagiarism of any kind. The references taken in making this
project have been declared at the end of the project.

Mr. Purushotam Khandelwal

H.O.D.
Physics

INDEX

Certificate
Acknowledgement
Introduction
Apparatus
Circuit Diagram
Theory
Procedure
Observation
Conclusions
Precautions
Source Of Error

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my chemistry
mentor Mr.Purushotam Khandelwal

for his vital support

,guidance and encouragement ,without which this project would

not have come forth. I would also like to express my gratitude to

the lab assistant Mr. MADAN LAL and Mr. BHAWAR LAL for
their support during making of this project .

Last but not the least I thank my PARENTS for their

encouragement and support .

AAYUSH TAMBI
XII (B) SCIENCE

APPARATUS
1. A Potentiometer
It is a device used to measure the internal
resistance of cell , to compare the e.m.f. of
two cells and potential difference across a
resistor. It works on the principle that when a
constant current flows through a wire of
uniform thickness and material, potential

difference between its two points is directly

proportional to the length of the wire between
the two points. It consists of along wire of
uniform cross section, 4 to10m long, of
material having high resistivity. These wires
are streched parallel to each other.

2. An Ammeter

to
measure the current in a circuit. Electric
currents are measured in amperes (A), hence
the name. Instruments used to measure
smaller currents, in the milliampere or
microampere
range,
are
designated
as milliammeters or microammeters.
An ammeter is measuring

instrument use

The majority of ammeters are either

connected in series with the circuit carrying
the current to be measured (for small
fractional amperes), or have their shunt
resistors connected similarly in series. In

either case, the current passes through the

meter or (mostly) through its shunt.

3. Galvanometer

A galvanometer is a device (instrument) used for

detecting feeble electriccurrents in circuits.It is
always connected in series in the circuit in which
current is to be detected.

4. A Battery (battery eliminator)

A combinations of cells is called a battery.

5. Two Way Keys

It has one long brass block and two

small brass blocks perpendicular to it,fixed on an
ebonite base.

6. A Rheostat of low resistance

It is a variable resistance device and is commonly

used for adjusting the strength of electric current

an electric circuit.It is made by wrapping a long wire

of constantan round a non conducting ceramic

cylinder

7. A Cell ( Leclanche or Daniel cell )

A cell is a device used as source of electric

current in various electrical
experiments.When a cell is connected across a
conductor (electric circuit) then it maitained
potential difference between its ends,to
provide a suppply of electric current
continuously.

8. Burner

Burner is a mechanical device that burns a gas

or liquid fuel into a flame in a controlled
manner.

9. Tripod Stand

A tripod is a portable three-legged frame,

used as a platform for supporting the weight
and maintaining the stability of some other
object.

10. Wire Gauze

A wire gauze is a type of of very fine, woven wire

that looks like netting.

11. A High Resistance

12. A Jockey
13. A set square connecting wires
14. Water Bath
15. Thermometer ( 0-100 oC )

Circuit diagram

Theory
THE INTERNAL RESISTANCE of a cell cell is the
resistance offered by its

eletrolyte to the flow of ions. The internal resistance

of a cell
1. is directly proportional to distance between the
eletrodes.
2. inversely proportional to facing surface area of
eletrodes in eletrolyte.
3. decrease with increase in temperature of
eletrolyte.
4. inversely proprotional to concentration of
eletrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is given by
r=

l 1l 2
R
l2

( )

where l1 and l2 are the balancing lengths without

resistance and with resistance (shunt), respectively
and R is shunt resistance in parallel with the given cell.

Procedure

STEP 1

Arrange apparatus as shown in circuit diagram.

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand

paper
and make tight connections according to the circuit diagram.
3. Tight the plugs of the resistance box.
4. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and cell and see that the e.m.f.
of the battery is more than that of the given cell, null point will
not be obtained(E'>E).
5. Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat
resistance small.
6. To test the correctness of the connections (Insert the plug in
the key K1 and note the ammeter reading. Take out 2000 ohm
resistance plug from the resistance box. Place the jockey first at
the end P of the wire and then at the end Q. If the galvanometer
shows deflection in opposite directions in the two cases ,the
connections are correct).
7. Without inserting the plug in the key K2 adjust the rheostat so
that a null point is obtained on the fourth wire of the
potentiometer.
8. Insert the 2000 ohm plug back in its position in resistance box
and by slightly adjusting the jockey near the previously obtained
position of null point, obtain the null point position accurately,
using a set square.

9. Measure the balancing length l1 between this point and the end
P of the wire.
10. Take out the 2000 ohm plug again from the resistance box R.B.
Introduce the the plugs in the key K1 as well as in key K2 Take out
a small resistance (1-5 ohm) from the resistance box R connected
in parallel with the cell.
11. Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain null
point.
12. Insert the 2000 ohm resistance plug back into its position in
R.B. and if necessary make further adjustments for sharp null
point.
13. Measure the balancing length l2 from end P.
14. Remove the plug keys at K1 and K2. Wait for sometime and for
the same value of current (as shown by the ammeter) repeat steps
7 to 13.
15. Repeat the observations for different values of R repeating
each observation twice.
16. Calculate the internal resistance of cell by using the above
relation for r

STEP-2
To see the effect of distance between the electrodes on internal
resistance keeping the others factors constant, vary the
separation between the electrodes
and measure the internal resistance in each case.
Draw a graph between the separation between the electrodes and
the internal resistance.

STEP-3
To see the effect of area of electrodes in electrolyte on internal
resistance keeping the other factors constant, increase the area
of electrodes in electrolyte
by dipping them into electrolyte and measure the internal
resistance of cell in each case. Plot the graph between the two.

STEP-4
To see the effect of temperature of electrolyte on the internal
resistance by keeping the other factors constant Keep the primary
cell in water bath to heat the electrolyte. Determine the
resistance at various temperatures. Plot the graph between the
two.

STEP-5

To see the effect of concentration of electrolyte on internal

resistance by keeping the other factors constant. Decrease the
concentration of electrolyte by adding the distilled water and
determine the internal resistance of cell in each case. Plot the
graph between
the two.

CONCLUSION

The emf of a cell is constant E =V.

The internal resistance of a cell is directly
proportional to the separation between electrodes.
The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the area of the electrodes dipped in
electrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the temperature of electrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the concentration of the electrolyte.

precautions
The connection should be neat , clean and tight.
The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when
the observations are to be taken.
The positive poles of the battery E and cells

E 1 and

E2 should, all connected to the terminal at the zero of

the wires.
The jockey key should not be rubbed along the wire. It
should touch the wire gently.
The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than the
e.m.f. s of the either of the two cells.
The ammeter reading should remain constant for a
particular set of observation . If necessary ,adjust
the rheostat for this purpose.
Some high resistance plug should always be taken out
from resistance box before the jockey is moved along
the wire .

The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than that

of the cell.
For one set of observation the ammeter reading
should remain constant.
Current should be passed for short time only ,while
finding the null point.
Rheostat should be adjusted so that initial null point
lies on last wire off the potentiometer .
Cell should not be disturbed in the experiment.
Jockey should not be rubbed against

the

potentiometer wire.

Source of error

1. The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.

2.The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross
section and material density .
3. End resistance may not be zero.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
New corses in Physics- PRADEEPS PUBLICATIOS
Comprehensive Practical Physics - LaxmiPublications
www.cbse.nic.in
www.icbse.com
www.cbseguess.com
www.google.com
My Physics Mentor Mr.Purushotam Khandelwal