Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my chemistry teacher Mrs. Amudha for her 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.
DRUPAD P

i
Bonafide certificate
This is to certify that DRUPAD P of class XII has successfully completed the
investigatory project on “TO STUDY VARIATION OF CURRENT USING A LDR" under the
guidance of Mrs. Amudha. This project is absolutely genuine and doesn't not involve
in any kind of plagiarism. This is in partial fulfillment of Physics practical
examination AISSCE 2013.

Department of Physics (AMUDHA)

ii
INDEX
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE i ii

INTRODUCTION APPLICATIONS AIM & APPARATUS THEORY PROCEDURE OBSERVATIONS RESULT &
CONCLUSION SOURCES OF ERROR BIBLIOGRAPHY

01 02 03 04 09 10 12 13 14

iii
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 are Cadmium Sulphide
(CdS) and Cadmium Selenide (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. longer wavelengths 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.

1
Applications
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the mid infrared
spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best farinfrared detectors
available, and are used for infrared astronomy and infrared spectroscopy. Analog
Applications · 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 Digital Applications · Automatic Headlight Dimmer ·
Night Light Control · Oil Burner Flame Out · Street Light Control · Position Sensor
*LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its resistance changes
drastically for a particular light intensity.

2
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

3
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, in Coulombs 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 of Cadmium Sulphide is 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.

4
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 1013 ohms. 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 that the
Cadmium Sulphide cell has a peak response nearer or within the green color of the
spectrum within a range of 520nm. Thus it can be used nearer to the infra-red
region up to 750nm. It was found that the maximum response of Cadmium
Sulphoselenide is in the yellow-orange range at 615nm and also it can be used in
the infra-red region up to about 970nm.

5
Sensitivity The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship between the
light falling on the device and the resulting output signal. In the case of a
photocell, one is dealing with the relationship between the incident light and the
corresponding resistance of the cell.

6
Spectral Response Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a photoconductive
cell is dependent on the wavelength (color) of the incident light. Each
photoconductor material type has its own unique spectral response curve or plot of
the relative response of the photocell versus wavelength of light.

7
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.

8
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 the multimeter 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 different distances and note down observations.

9
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 No 1. 2. 3. 4. DISTANCE FROM SOURCE (cm) 50 40 30 20 RESISTANCE (Kilo ohm)
142.5 69 41 21 CURRENT (micro ampere) 40 80 150 300

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

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

10
3.) 40 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm)
Serial No DISTANCE FROM SOURCE (cm) 50 40 30 20 RESISTANCE (Kilo ohm) CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1. 2. 3. 4.

20 13 8.5 4.5

300 460 700 1330

4.) 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

Serial No DISTANCE FROM SOURCE (cm) 50 40 30 20 RESISTANCE (Kilo ohm) CURRENT
(micro ampere)

1. 2. 3. 4.

15.5 10 6 3

380 600 1000 2000

11
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.

12
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.

13
BIBLIOGRAPHY
NCERT physics class XII Art of Electronics by paul worowitz www.wikipedia.com/
www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/ www.ecelab.com/

14