Physics Project
Work
Topic- Study of various factors on which the internal
resistance/ EMF of a cell depends
Project Members- 1. Aswin,
2. Atharva Yadav
Class- 12-B
Roll No.- 12254, 12233
Teacher's Name- Jose Herbert Raj (P.G.T. Physics)
School Name- Kendriya Vidyalaya Hebbal, Bangalore
Content
1. Certificate
2. Acknowledgement
3. Introduction
• Internal resistance
4. Practical Analysis
• Objective
• Apparatus
• Theory
• Circuit Diagram
• Procedure
• Result & Inferences
• Precautions
• Sources of error
5. Bibliography
Certificate
This is to certify that Aswin & Atharva Yadav
of class 12-B has successfully completed their
project on the topic "Study of various factors
on which the internal resistance/ EMF of a
cell depends" under the guidance of Mr. Jose
Herbert Raj, during the academic year 2022-
2023.
Mr. P. Srinivasa Raju Mr. Jose Herbert Raj
(Principal K.V. Hebbal) (P.G.T. Physics)
External Examiner
Acknowledgement
We would like to express our greatest gratitude to Mr.
Jose Herbert Raj (P.G.T Physics) who have helping &
guiding and motivating us through his ideas and
thoughts. I am grateful to our Principal Mr. P. Srinivasa
Raju for his undivided support & encouragement
throughout his project. We are thankful to them.
Secondly, we would also like to thank our parents and
colleagues who supported us a lot in concluding this
project within limited time-frame.
Introduction
There is 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 makes it more reliable.
Internal Resistance
Internal resistance is defined as the resistance offered by the
electrolyte of the cell to the flow of ions.
• Its S.I. unit is Ohm.
For a cell of e.m.f. (E) and internal resistance(r), connected to
an external resistance(R) such that (I) is the current flowing
through the circuit,
E= V + IR
Internal Resistance R= E-V
I
Practical Analysis
Objective
To study the various factors on which the internal resistance of a
cell depends.
Apparatus
A potentiometer, a battery (or battery eliminator), two one way
keys, a rheostat, a galvanometer, a resistance box, an ammeter,
a cell (Lecalanche cell), a jockey, a setsquare, connecting wires
and sand paper.
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 the facing surface area of
the electrodes in electrolyte.
• decreases with increase in temperature of electrolyte.
• is inversely proportional to the concentration of electrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is given by:
R= (E-V)/I
Circuit Diagram
Shunt
Procedure
1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper
and make tight connections according to the circuit
diagram.
2. Tighten the plugs of the resistance box.
3. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and of the cell and make
sure that e.m.f. of the battery is more than that of the
cell, otherwise null or balance point will not be obtained.
To study variation of internal resistance with distance of
separation
4. To keep both electrodes at a distance of 16 cm.
5. Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat
resistance small.
6. Without inserting a plug in key K2, adjust the rheostat so that a
null point is obtained on the last wire of the potentiometer.
7. Determine the position of the null point accurately using a set
square and measure the balancing length (l1) between the null
point and the end P.
8. Next introduce plugs in both keys K1 and K2. Ath the same time,
take out a small resistance (1-5 W) from the shunt resistance box
connected in parallel with the cell.
9. Slide the jockey along a potentiometer wire and obtain the null
point.
10. Measure the balancing length (l2) from end P. Record these
observations.
11. Now keep the electrodes 12 cm apart.
12. Then remove the plugs of keys K1 and K2 . Wait for some time
and then repeat steps 7 to 10.
13. Next, keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain another set of
observations.
To study variation of internal resistance with area of electrodes
14. Keeping all other factors constant, increase the area of
electrodes in the electrolyte by dipping them into the electrolyte
at different depths for each observations.
15. Obtain three such observations by repeating steps 7 to 10.
Record your readings.
To study variation of internal resistance with concentration of
electrolyte
16. Keeping all other factors constant, decrease the concentration
of electrolyte by adding distilled water for different observation.
17. Obtain three such observations repeating step 7 to 10. Record
your readings
Observations
1. Table for effect of separation between electrodes
2. Table for effect of internal resistance
3. Table for effect of temperature
Result and inferences
• The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is equal
to E=0.98 Volt.
• The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to the
separation between the 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 electrolytes.
• 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 the introduced in the leys 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 in 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.
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. Each resistances may not be zero.
Bibliography
• www.google.com
• www.documents.mx
• www.wikipedia.org
• www.docfoc.com
• www.slideshare.net
