RKV

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

COIMBATORE
2022-2023

PHYSICS PROJECT ON
VARIATION OF CURRENT FLOWING IN A
LDR CIRCUIT
NAME : ANIQ MOHAMMED .M
CLASS : XII - A
REG. NO.:
 CERTIFICATE
PROJECT WORK IN PHYSICS

This is to certify that this project report

entitled " Variations In Current Flowing In A LDR
Circuit " is the work done by Aniq Mohammed.
of class XII under the supervision of
Mr.Muthu.A and submitted for partial fulfillment
of the requirement for AISSCE (2022-2023).
Submitted for the Practical Examination held
at RKV Senior Secondary School, on _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Internal Examiner Principal External Examiner

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I express my special thanks to my school

management for the constant support extended in the
completion of my project. I extend my sincere
gratitude towards Mrs. Roja Ramani, the principal of
RKV Senior Secondary School for providing all the
facilities for carrying out this project successfully.
I take this opportunity to express my hearty thanks to
my physics teacher Mr Muthu.A , for his most
sincere co-operation, constant guidance and valuable
suggestion throughout my Project.
I would like to thank my parents and friends who
have helped me with their valuable suggestions to
complete my project.

PLACE: ₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋

DATE : ₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋₋
(Signature of the Student)
 CONTENT PAGE NO.
CERTIFICATE
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
TOPIC

INTRODUCTION
PRINCIPLE
APPLICATIONS OF
LDR
OBJECTIVE
THEORY
MATERIAL REQUIRED
PROCEDURE

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM
OBSERVATION

CONCLUSION
SOURCE OF ERROR

USES AND MERITS

BIBLIOGRAPHY
INDEX
 TOPIC

VARIATION OF CURRENT
FLOWING IN A LDR CIRCUIT
 INTRODUCTION

A photoresistor or light dependent resistor is a component that is

sensitive to light. When light falls upon it then the resistance changes.
Values of the resistance of the LDR may change over many orders of
magnitude the value of the resistance falling as the level of light
increases. It is not uncommon for the values of resistance of an LDR or
photoresistor to be several megohms in darkness and then to fall to a
few hundred ohms in bright light. With such a wide variation in
resistance, LDRs are easy to use and there are many LDR circuits
available. The sensitivity of light dependent resistors or photoresistors
also varies with the wavelength of the incident light. LDRs are made
from semiconductor materials to enable them to have their light sensitive
properties. Many materials can be used, but one popular material for
these photoresistors is cadmium sulphide, CdS.
Types of photoresistor:
Light dependent resistors, LDRs or photoresistors fall into one of two
types or categories:

Intrinsic photoresistors:
Intrinsic photoresistors use un-doped semiconductor
materials including silicon or germanium. Photons fall on the LDR
excite electrons moving them from the valence band to the
conduction band. Asa result, these electrons are free to conduct
electricity. The more light that falls on the device, the more electrons
 are liberated and the greater the level of conductivity, and this results
in a lower level of resistance.

Extrinsic photoresistors:
Extrinsic photoresistors are manufactured from semiconductor
of materials doped with impurities. These impurities or dopants
create a new energy band above the existing valence band. As a
result, electrons need less energy to transfer to the conduction band
because of the smaller energy gap. Regardless of the type of light
dependent resistor or photoresistor, both types exhibit an increase in
conductivity or fall in resistance with increasing levels of incident
light.
PRINCIPLE OF LDR
This project is based on Light Dependent Resistance (LDR). LDR is a
resistance, in which opposing power of current depends on the presence of quantity of
light present, i.e. the resistance of LDR increases or decreases, according to quantity of
light which falls on it. If LDR places in darkness, the resistance of LDR increases and
when light falls on it, the resistance of LDR decreases and act as a conductor. Any
LDR in the presence of light and darkness changes its resistance is depending on the
different types of LDR.
LDR symbol
 The LDR symbol used in circuits is based around the resistor
circuit symbol, but shows the light, in the form of arrows shining
on it. In this way it follows the same convention used for
photodiode and phototransistor circuit symbols where arrows are
used to show the light falling on these components.
 Circuit symbols used for the light dependent resistor or
photoresistor.The light dependent resistor or photoresistor circuit
symbols are shown for both the newer style resistor symbol, i.e. a
rectagular box and the older zig-zag line resistor circuit symbols.
Applications OF LDR
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for the
mid infrared spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among the best
far-infrared 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
Note :LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its
resistance changes drastically for a particular light intensity
OBJECTIVE:
To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit containing a LDR, because of
a variation:-
 In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to ‘illuminate’ the
LDR.(Keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance.
 In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed power), used to
‘illuminate’the LDR.
THEORY:

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 such large
energy gaps, both the materials have extremely high resistivity at room
temperature.

Characteristics of photoconductive cell:

 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 colour 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 infrared region up to about 970nm

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.

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). It varies inversely as the square of the distance

Spectral Response:

Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a

photoconductive cell insdependent on the wavelength (colorcolour) of the
incident light. Each photoconductor material type has its own unique
spectral response curveorcurvier plot of the relative response of the photocell
versus wavelength of light.
 MATERIALS REQUIRED

COMPONENTS QUANTITY

Light Dependent Resistor (LDR) 1

Connecting Wires -

Bulbs of different power rating -

Bulb Holder 1

Metre scale 1

Multi Meter 1

Battery 2
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

 Note down observations in observation note.

CIRCUIT DIGRAM :
OBSERVATIONS
The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with
different power ratings. Voltage of the battery = 6 V
CONCLUSION
 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.

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.
ADVANTAGES OF LDR

 Collection of parts of the circuit are easily available.

 Accuracy of this circuit is more than accuracy of other circuits.
 By using laser, it can be used for security purposes.
 It can be used to stop the wastage of electricity.
 The cost of circuit is low.
 This circuit saves the men's power.

USES OF LDR

 It can be used in street lights.

 It can be used in mines areas.
 It can be used in hilly areas.
 By using laser, it can be used for safety purposes.
 It can be used in frontier areas.
 It can be used in houses.
 It can be used in jail lights.
BIBLIOGRAPHY

 NCERT physics class XII

 Art of Electronics by paul worowitz
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby
 www.ecelab.com