INVESTIGATORY PROJECTS

Prgject 1

Aim
/ EME of a cell depends.
1o sTiedN various factors on which the itemal resistance
Apparatus
An improved voltaic cell, voltmeter (0- 3V), two one way
keys, resistance box, connecting wires, sand paper.

Theory
current through it is called the
Internal resistance. The resistance offered by the electrolyte to the flow of electric
internal resistance of a cell.
In S.l. the unit of internal resistance (r) is ohm (S2).
Electromotive force E (e.m.f.)
The potential difference between the two poles of acell in an open circuit (when no
current is drawn fromthe cel
is called the e.m.f. of the cell. It is denoted by E.
In S.I. the unit of e.m.f. is volt (V) or joule per coulomb (JC).
The e.m.f. of a cell is said to 1V, if 1joule of work is performed by the cell to derive one coulomb of charge around
the circuit.
Potential difference of a cell
Cell
The potential difference between two poles of a cell in a closed
circuit (when current is drawn from the cell) is called the potential E
r

difference of the cell. It is denoted by V.

The circuit given in Fig. P(1.1) shows that the e.m.f. of the cell
is E having internal resistance r, connected to an external resistance
R such that current I is flowing through the circuit.
R
E
So
R+r

or E= IR + Ir
Fig. P (1.1)
of E=V+ Ir |:: V=IR
or E-V=Ir

E-V

We know that, the internal resistance of a celI

) is directly proportional tothe distance between the electrodes.

(i) is inversely proportional to the surface area of the electrode
(çi) in inversely proportional to the concentration of electrolyte.
76 MODERN S abc OF PRACTICAL PHYSICS (X)
 Procedure
) Internal resistance of the cell.
1. Make the electric conncctions as shown in Fig. PL) and dip the two metallic plates of Cu and Zn
completely inside the H,so, solution.

Scale S2
Scale
S.

H,SO,

K2
R

Fig. P (1.2)

voltmeter. This gives emf (E) of the cell.

2. Insert plug in key K, and note the reading of the
resistance box and insert key K, and note the reading
3. Now introduce some resistance say 10 S2 from the
the cell. Note V <E.
of the voltmeter. This gives potential difference (V) of
reading in the voltmeter every time.
4. Change the value of R to 20 S2, 30 S2 and note the
5. Now find the internal resistance (r) of the cell.
between the electrodes.
() Dependence of internalresistance on distance
value of r as explained in steps 1-5.
6. Note the distance d between the electrodes and find the
area of the electrodes
(ui) Dependenceof internal resistance on common surface
electrolyte by measuring the length and depth to which
7. Determine the area of electrodes immersed in the
Find the internal resistance of the cell.
the electrodes are immersed in the electrolyte.
electrolyte is not same, so smaller area in
INote : Generally, the area of two electrodes immersed in the
taken as common area. ]
some electrolyte and again find the common
8. Change the level of electrolyte in the cell by draining out
find the value of r.
area as explained in step 7 and
concentration of electrolvte
) Dependenceof internal resistance on
between the plates consant, find the internal
9. Keep the area immersed in the electrolyte and distance
present amount) and till it with water
resistance of the cell. Drain out sonne elecrolyte (say half of the
the intermal resistance rof the cell.
up to same level as was before draining out. Again find

Observations
EMF of the voltatic cell, E=..... vot
 (i) Internal resistance of the cell
S.No. External resistance Terminal potential Internal resistance
E-V
R(in 2) difference V(in volt) R(in S2)

Mean r= ....2
Result
Internal resistance of the cell, r=
(ii) Dependence of r on separation between the
plates
Distance E-V r
External Terminal r= -R Mean
d
between the S.No. resistance potential (in 2) (in 2) (in 2 cm,
plates R (in 2) difference
V(in volt)
1
d=\.9.cm 2 20
3 30
24 r=

2 035 r'=
r

3 30 d

Result

Here 1S nearly same i.e. i.e. r ad

d
d d'
i.e. internal resistance of the given cell is directly
proportional to the distance between the plates.
(üi) Dependence of r on common surface area A of inmmersed
plates

Common area External Terminal r=

Mean
V
of immersed S.No. resistance potential (in 2) (in 2) rxA
plates R (in 2) difference
V (in volt)

A=....cm 2
3

A' =.....cm 2 r'= r'xA'=

3

78 MODERN S abc OF PRACTICAL PHYSICS (XI)

 Result

A
Here rA is nearly same i.e. rA =r'A' or orr o
A A
ie. internal resistance of the cell is inversely proportional to the common surface area of the
electrodes.
iiv) Dependence of r onconcentration of the electrolyte.

Concentration External Terminal

E-V
Mean
r= R
V
of electrolyte S.No. resistance potential (in 2) r (in 2) rC
R (in 2) difference
V(in volt)

2
3
1
2
3

Result
1
It is found that the internal resistance is doubled when the concentration is reduced to 50% i.e. r Le. the

imternal resistance of the given cell is inversely proportional to the concentration of electrolyte.
Precautions
1. Always clean the ends of the connecting wire with sand paper and the connections must be tight.
2. In the resistance box, the plugs must be tight.
3. The ammeter reading should remain constant for a particular set of observation.
the teacher.
4. Before passing current in the circuit, get the circuit checked by
5. Current should be switched off soon after taking the reading every time.
Sources of error
1. Connection may be loose.
circuit from the resistance box.
A large resistance is introduced in the