INVESTIGATORY

PROJECT
FACTORS AFFECTING THE INTERNAL RESISTANCE OF
A CELL

AISSCE 2022-2023

Submitted By :-
Name : - Ayush Mishra
Class : - XII-C
Roll No :-

MOTHER’S PUBLIC SCHOOL

UNIT- 1, BHUBANESWAR
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

• I AYUSH MISHRA of class XII-C express my

gratitude to my school authorities for
allowing me to undertake the project
entitled “FACTORS AFFECTING THE
INTERNAL RESISTANCE OF A CELL ”

• I wish to express my deep gratitude and

sincere thanks to my physics teacher Mrs.
Jasodhara Senapati for her encouragement
& for all the facilities that she provided for
this project.

• Students Signature
 CERTIFICATE
• Name : Ayush Mishra
• Class : XII-C
• Roll no :

• This is certificate to be bonified work of the

student in the physics investigatory project
during the season 2022 -2023.

Teacher’s Signature Principal’s Signature

 INDEX
Sl Contents Page no.
no.
1. Objective 4

2. Introduction 5

3. Theory 6

4. Procedure 7–9

5. Observation 10 – 11

6. Conclusion 12

7. Precaution and source of 13 - 14

error
 OBJECTIVE
• To study various factors on which the
internal resistance of a cell depends:-

• Apparatus required:

A Potentiometer Jockey
A Battery Set square
Eliminator
Two way Key Connecting wires
Rehostat of low Water bath
resisance
Galvanometer Thermometer
High resistance Burner
Ammeter Tripod stand
Cell Wire Gauge
 INTRODUCTION
• There is a great need of batteries in our
daily use electronic appliances and the use
is increasing day by day. Thus the
batteries need to be more powerful so that
their potential can be greatly.

• Thus the project Is based on practical

analysis for the factor affecting internal
resistance of a cell.

• When the internal resistance is decreased

then we can increase the potential
difference across it to make it more reliable
and useful.
 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:
(i) Directly proportional to distance between
the electrodes.
(ii)Inversely proportional to concentration of
electrolyte
(iii) Inversely proportional to the exposed
surface area of electrodes in electrolyte.

• The internal resistance of a cell is given

by: r = R(l1/l2-1)
• [Where (l1) and (l2) are the positions of the null
points without and with a shunt resistance
respectively and (R) is the shunt resistance in parallel
with the given cell.]
 Procedure
• 1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires
with sand paper and make tight connection
according to the circuit diagram.
• 2. Tighten the plugs of the resistance box.
• 3. Check the Emf of the battery and of the
cell and make sure that Emf of the battery
is more than that of the cell, otherwise null
or balance point will not be obtained.
• 4. Keep both the 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. At the
same time, take out a small resistance (1 – 5 ) 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 repeat steps 7 to 10.
13. Next keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain
another set of observations.
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 observation.
15. Obtain three such observations by repeating steps
7 to 10. Record your readings.
16. Keeping all other factors constant, decrease
the concentration of electrolyte by adding
distilled water for different observations.
17. Obtain three such observations by repeating
step 7 to 10. Record your readings.
 OBSERVATION

Shunt resistance = 20 ohm

r = (l1 – l2 )R/ l1

Separation between
electrode
Sl Separation Balancing Balancing r = (l1 – l2)R]/l1 r/d
no. between length (l1) length (in ohm-
electrodes with stunt cm-1)
(in cm) (l2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
Effect of area of electrode
Sl no. Separation Balancing Balancing r = (l1 – l2)R]/l1 r/d
between length (l1) length with (in ohm-
electrodes stunt (l2) cm-1)
(in cm)

1
2
3
4
5
6
Effect of temprature of electrolyte

Sl no. Separation Balancing Balancing r = (l1 – l2)R]/l1 r/d

between length (l1) length (in ohm-cm-
electrodes with stunt 1)
(in cm) (l2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
Concentration of
electrolyte

Sl no. Separation Balancin Balancing r = (l1 – r/d

between l2)R]/l1
g length length (in ohm-
electrodes (l1) with cm-1)
(in cm) stunt (l2)

1
2
3
4
5
6
 CONCLUSION
• The Emf of cell is 2 volt.
• Internal resistance increases
with increase in distance
between electrode.
• Internal resistance increases
with decrease in are of electrode
immersed in electrolyte.
• Internal resistance increases
with decrease with concentration
of electrolyte.
• Internal resistance increases
with increase in temperature of
electrolyte.
 PRECAUTION
• Ensure that Emf of battery(E) is
greater than Emf of cell(E1).
• Positive terminal of E and E1 both
should be connected at terminal of
potentiometer.
• To avoid heating effect, current should
not be passed for long time through
wire.
• Length of wire should be measured
from end of wire , where all positive
terminals are connected.
• Jockey should not be pressed too hard
on the wire , otherwise diameter of
wire may not be uniform.
SOURCE OF ERROR
• Potentiometer wire may or may not be
off uniform area throughout the
length.
• End resistance of potentiometer wire
are not taken into account.
• Heating effect due to continuous
flow of current may introduce some
error.
• Emf of auxiliary battery producing the
fall of potential along the
potentiometer may not be constant
throughout the course of time.