Pragati Vidya Peeth

SUBMITTED BY:
HARSHITA TYAGI
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I TAKE THIS OPPORTUNITY TO
SINCERELY EXPRESS MY GRATITUDE
TO ALL FOR HELPING ME COMPLETE
THIS PRACTICAL FILE. MY SINCERE
THANKS TO MY CHEMISTRY SIR,FOR HIR
CONSTANT SUPPORT AND
ENCOURAGEMENT WITHOUT WHOSE
HELP AND GUIDANCE I WOULD NOT
HAVE BEEN ABLE TO COMPLETE THIS
FILE. ALSO,I WOULD LIKE TO THANK ALL
THOS WHO PROVIDED REQUIRED
MATERIAL FO COMPLETING THE
PROJECT.
 CERTIFICATE
THIS IS TO CERTIFY THAT THIS
PROJECT HAS BEEN MADE BY
HARSHITA TYAGI OF CLASS 12TH ON
THE TOPIC
To study the variations in current flowing in a
circuit containing an LDR

UNDER THE GUIDANCE OF

CHEMISTRY AND HAVE COMPLETED
IT.

HARSHITA
TYAGI
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to thank my chemistry teacher, his

constant guidance, motivation, moral
encouragement and sympathetic attitude
towards the success of this project. I also want
to thank the principal and the institution for
providing the necessary materials. I would
also like to extend my gratitude towards the
lab attendant, my parents and everyone who
has helped me in completing the project
successfully.

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INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT B
i
CERTIFICATE
ii

INTRODUCTION

APPLICATIONS

AIM & APPARATUS

THEORY

PROCEDURE

OBSERVATIONS

RESULT & CONCLUSION

SOURCES OF ERROR

BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
The general purpose photoconductive cell is also known as
LDR –light dependent resistor. 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 areCadmium Sulphide (CdS)andCadmiumSelenide
(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. longerwavelengths 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. Ge
Cuphotoconductors are among the best far- infrared
detectors available, and are used for infrared astronomy
and infrared spectroscopy.

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

Automatic Headlight Dimmer · Night Light Control · Oil

Burner Flame Out · Street Light Control · Position
Sensor
 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:
Light Dependent Resistor(LDR)
Connecting Wires
Source of different power rating(bulbs)
Bulb Holder
Metre scale
Multi Meter
Battery
 THEORY
1.) 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.

λ0 = threshold wavelength, in meters

e = charge on one electron, inCoulombs
Ew = work function of the metal used, in Ev

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 ofCadmium Sulphide
2.42eV and for Cadmium Selenide it is1.74eV.Due to
such large energy gaps, both the materials have
extremely high resistivity at room temperature.
Characteristics of photoconductive cells
Now when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance is
called as dark resistance. This resistance is typically of the
order of 1013ohms. 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 our 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 thatthe Cadmium Sulphide cell has a
peak response nearer or within the green color of the
spectrum within a range of520nm. Thus it can be used
nearer to the infra-red region up to750nm. It was found
that the maximum response of cadium
Sulpho-selenideis in the yellow-orange range at 615nm
and also it can be used in the infra-red region up to
about 970nm.
2.) 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

 Choose a specific position for the source and mount it using a

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


 OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using

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

1.) 15 watts (yellow)(wavelength = 570nm)

Serial DISTANCE FROM RESISTANCE CURRENT
No SOURCE (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
(cm)

1. 50 142.5 40
2. 40 69 80
3. 30 41 150
4. 20 21 300

2.) 15 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm

Serial DISTANCE FROM RESISTANCE CURRENT
No SOURCE (Kilo ohm) (micro ampere)
(cm)
50
1. 51 120
40
2. 35 170
3. 30 22 270
4. 20 11 540
3.) 20 watts(CFL)(white light)

Serial DISTANCE FROM RESISTANCE CURRENT (micro

No SOURCE (Kilo ohm) ampere)
(cm)

1. 50 15.5 380
2. 40 10 600
3. 30 6 1000
4. 20 3 2000

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.
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.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

NCERT physics class XII

Art of Electronics by paul worowitz

www.wikipedia.com/

www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/

www.ecelab.com/