PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT

AISSCE 2019-20

CLASS XII
ROLL NO. -
SUBMITTED BY:- WASHIUL ISLAM
DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL, RUBY PARK
KOLKATA

STUDY ON VARIOUS
FACTORS ON WHICH
INTERNAL
RESISTANCE/EMF OF
CELL DEPENDS
 Acknowledgement
I express my sincere gratitude towards my physics
teacher who had given us the opportunity and space to
explore new avenues for the physics project. This project
wouldn’t have been feasible without the proper and
rigorous guidance of my Physics teacher, who guided me
throughout this project in every possible way on a step
by step basis and ensuring that I completed my project
with ease. His suggestions and instructions have served
as the major contributor towards the completion of the
project. The book and websites need special mention
here as they laid the foundation to our projects. And of
course, my parents, without whose guide and
perseverance, the project would never have been poss.
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that WASHIUL ISLAM, a bonafide
student of Delhi Public school, Ruby Park, Kolkata,
class 12 has successfully completed his chemistry
project “TO STUDY THE FACTORS ON WHICH THE
INTERNAL RESISTANCE/EMF OF THE CELL DEPENDS”
during the year 2019-20 as per CBSE guidelines for the
AISSCE Practical Examination 2020.

External Examiner Internal Examiner

Date:___________ Date: __________

 INDEX
 Acknowledgement

 Certificate

 Introduction

 Objective

 Apparatus

 Theory

 Procedure

 Observations

 Precautions

 Sources of error

 Conclusions

 Bibliography
 Introduction
There is a great need of batteries in our daily use
electronic appliances and the use is increasing every
day.
Thus , the batteries need to be made more powerful
so that their potential can be increased greatly .

Thus , this project report is based on practical

analysis for the factors affecting the internal
resistance of a cell.

When the internal resistance of the cell is decreased

we can increase the potential difference across it ,
and hence make it more reliable.
 Objective :
 To study the various factors on which the
internal resistance of a cell depends.

 Apparatus :
 A Potentiometer
 a battery (battery eliminator)
 two way keys
 a rheostat of low resistance
 a galvanometer
 a high resistance
 an ammeter
 a cell
 a Jockey
 a set square
 connecting wires
 thermometer(0-100°C)
 wire gauge .
 Theory :-
The internal resistance of a cell is the resistance offered by its

electrolyte to the flow of ions . The internal resistance of a cell

 is directly proportional to the distance between the electrodes.

 is inversely proportional to facing surface area of the electrodes

in electrolyte.

 decreases with increase in temperature of electrolyte.

 is inversely proportional to concentration of electrolyte.

The internal resistance of a cell is given by

𝒍𝟏 − 𝒍𝟐
r=( )R
𝒍𝟏

where 𝒍𝟏 , 𝒍𝟐 are the balancing lengths without resistance and with

resistance (shunt) , respectively and R is the shunt resistance in

parallel with the given cell.

 Procedure :
 Step 1
1. Draw the circuit diagram showing the scheme of connections.

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and

make tight connections according to the circuit diagrams.

3. Tight the plugs of the resistance box.

4. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and cell and see that e.m.f. and

see that e.m.f. of the battery is more than that of given cell

,otherwise null or balance point will not be obtained (E' >E).

5. Take maximum current from the battery , making rheostat

resistance small.

6. To test the corrections of the connections.(insert the plug in the

key 𝑲𝟏 and note the ammeter reading .Take out 2000 ohm

resistance plug from resistance box. Place the jokey first at the

end P of the wire and then at the end Q. If the galvanometer

shows deflection in opposite direction 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 4th wire of potentiometer.

8. Insert the 2000 ohm plug back in the position in resistance box

and by slightly adjusting the jockey near the previous obtained

position of null point, obtain null point position accurately,

using a set square.

9. Measure the balancing length 𝒍𝟏 between the point and the

end P of the wire.

10. Take out the 2000 ohm plug again from the resistance box R.B.

introduce plugs in the key 𝑲𝟏 ,as well as in key 𝑲𝟐 . Take out

small resistance (1-5ohm ) 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 2000 ohms plug back in its position in R.B. and if

necessary make further adjustment for sharp null point.

13. Measure the balancing length 𝒍𝟐 from end P.

14. Remove the plug keys at 𝑲𝟏 and 𝑲𝟐 .Wait for some time and

for the same value of current (as shown by ammeter) repeat

the 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

resistances keeping the other factors constant ,vary separation

between electrodes and measure internal resistance in each

case.

 Step 3
To see the effect of the temperature of electrolyte on internal

resistance by keeping other factors constant.

Keep primary cells in water bath to heat the electrolyte.

Determine the internal resistance at various temperatures.

 Step 4
To see the effect of concentration (nature) of electrolyte on

internal resistance by :-

Keeping the other factors constant , decrease concentration of

electrolyte by adding the distilled water and determine

internal resistance of cell in each case .

Diagram:-
Observations :
Ammeter Pos. of null point ( Shunt
S.No. r=((𝒍𝟏 − 𝒍𝟐 )⁄𝒍𝟏 )R
Reading cm ) Resistance

With Without R
(A) R(Ω) Ω
R (l1 ) ( l2 )

1. 0.3 660.5 35.5 1 0.94

2. 0.3 660.5 77.2 2 1.77

Balancing Balancing
3.
S.N Separation
0.3 660.5 108.3 r=((𝒍
3 𝟏 − 𝒍𝟐 )⁄𝒍𝟏 )R
2.51
length length r/d
o between
(Ω)
Electrodes-d (cm) ( l1 ) (cm) (l2)

Table for effect of separation between electrodes :-

 (cm)

Temper-
Tr0.38
𝒍 −𝒍
S.No.
1. 1.2 l1 326.6l2 Resistance
276.9 r=(
0.456
𝟏 𝟐
)R
ature 𝒍𝟏

(T) °C (cm) (cm) R (Ω) (Ω) (ΩK)

2. 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.45 0.38
1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.456 0.38 301.44

3.
2. 3.7
2.5 320.7660.5
219.1 350.9
0.95 1.406
0.38 0.38
291.69

3. 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38 283.87

Table for effect of temperature :-

 Result and inference
1. The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is equal to

E = 0.98 Volt

2. The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to the

separation between the electrodes.

3. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

area of the electrodes dipped in electrolyte.

4. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

temperature of electrolytes.

5. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

concentration of the electrolyte.

 Precautions :
1. The connections should be neat , clean and tight.

2. The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when the

observations are to be taken.

3. The positive polls of the battery E and cells E1 and E2 should , all

be connected to the terminal at the zero of the wires.

4. The jockey key should not be rubbed along the wire. It should

touch the wire gently.

5. The ammeter reading should remain constant for a particular set

of observation. If necessary , adjust the rheostat for this purpose.

6. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than the e.m.f.'s of

the either of the two cells.

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

8. For one set of observation the ammeter reading should remain

constant.

9. Current should be passed for short time only , while finding the

null point.

10. Cell should not be disturbed during experiment.

11. Jockey should not be rubbed against the potentiometer wire.

Sources 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 throughout its length.

3. End resistances may not be zero.

 bibliography

 www.wikipedia.com
 Comprehensive physics book
 Physics lab manual