HOLY MISSION SECONDARY SCHOOL

Physics Project
Topic : Study of various factors on which the
internal resistance/EMF of a cell depends.

Submitted to: Mr. Ravideo Kumar

Submitted by: Arnit Singh [Class- 12th]

 ~cknotuleb gement
The success and final outcome of this project
required a lot of guidance and assistance from
many people and I am extremely fortunate to
have got this all along the completion of my
project work. Whatever I have done is only due
to such guidance and assistance and I would
not forget to thank them.

I respect and thank Mr. Ravideo Kumar, for

giving me an opportunity to do this project
work and providing us all support and guidance
which made me complete the project on time.

Last but not the least I would like to thank all

my friends who supported me all the way and
my parents who helped me financially and
encouraged me throughout in the completion of ,
project.
.------------------------------------------------------------

Certificate
This is to certify that Master Arnit Singh,
a student of class 12(A) has successfully
completed his project work under the guidance
of subject teacher Mr. Ravideo Kumar during
the year 2022/2023 from Holy Mission
Secondary School in partial fulfillment of
physics practicle examination conducted by
CBSE.

Teacher In-charge £:eternal £taminer

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I Principal School R11bber Stamp I
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 INDEX
Sno. Topics

1. Introduction
• lntema Resistance

2. Practical Analysis
• Ob;ective
• Aoporotus
• Theory
• Cwcuit Oiogom
• Procedure
• Resutt & Inferences
• Precoutions
• Sources of eff'Of'

3. Flowchart Conclusion
 INTRODUCTION

There is a great need ofbatteries 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 ofa
cell.
When the internal resistance of the cell is decreased
we can increase the potential difference across it , and
hence n,ake it more reliable.
 \ I /
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INTERNAL RESISTANCE

Internal resistance is defined as the resi.rtance offered by the

electrolyte ofthe cell to the flow ofion.5.

• Its S. I. unit is 0/JM (0)

,·
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.e.m.f R_ .,
J
IEml, E

'v
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For a cell ofe.mJ. (E) and internal resistance (r), connected to

an e:cternal resistance {R) s11ch that (/) is the current flowing
thro11gh the circuit.

E = V + Ir
Internal Resistance r = E-V
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 PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
OBJECTIVE
To study the various factors on which the internal
resistance ofa cell depends.

APPARATUS
A P'Olentiometer, a battery (or battery e/in,inator), two
one way keys, a rheostat, a galvanometer, a resistance
box, an ammeter, a cell (leclanche 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 ofa cell
• is directly proportional to the distance between the
electrodes.
 • is inversely proportional to facing surface area of the
electrodes in electrolyte.
• decreases with increase in temperature of electrolyte.
• is inversely proportional to concentration of
electrolyte.
The internal resistance ofa cell is given by:

r = (E-V)/1

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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Power Supply

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Leclandle cell I
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PROCEDURE
I. 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.mf of the battery and of the cell and
make sure that e.mf 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. Keep both the electrodes at a distance of I 6 cm.

5. Take maximum current from the battery, making
rheostat resistance small.
6. Without inserting a plug in key Ki, 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
(/1) between the null point and the end P.
8. Next introduce plugs in both keys K, and K1. At the
same time, take out a small resistance ( I - 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.
I 0. Measure the balancing length (/1) from end P.
Record these observations.
11. Now keep the electrodes I 2 cm apart.
12. Then remove the plugs of keys K, and Ki . Wait
for some time and repeat steps 7 to I 0.
13. Next, keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain
another set ofobservations.
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
observation.
15. Obtain three such observations by
repeating steps 7 to I 0. Record your readings.
To study variation of internal res;stance with
concentration of electrolyte
 16. Keeping all other factors constant, decrease the
concentration ofelectrolyte by adding distilled water
for different observations.
17. Obtain three such observations by repeating step
7 to I 0. Record your readings.

OBSERVATIONS

S.110. Ammeter Po.dtion o/11ull poi11t(cm) Shunt lnten,al

Readillg Resistance Resistance
(A) WithR Without R R(O) r(O)
(I ,) (Ii)
1. 0.3 660.S 3S.S 1 0.94
2. 0.3 660.S n .2 2 1.n
3. 0.3 660.S 108.3 3 2.51

Table for effect of separation between electrodes

S.110. Separation Balancing Balancing ltrtemal rid
betwee11 poi,rf point Resista,rce
electrodes /,(cm) l,(cm) r(Q)
d (cm)
1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.4S6 0.38
2. 2.S 320.7 219.1 0.9S 0.38
3. 3.7 660.S 3S0.9 1.406 0.38
Table for effect of ternperoture
S.110. Temperat11re /,(cm) l1(cm) Resistance Internal Tr
T('C) R(OJ Resista11ce (W<)
r(O)

1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0 .456 0.38 301.44

2. 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.95 0.38 291.96
3. 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38 283.87

RESULT & INFERENCES

• The Electron1otive 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 ofa cell is inversely
proportional to the area of the electrodes dipped in
electrolyte.
• The internal resistance ofa cell is inversely
proportional to the temperature ofelectrolytes.
• The internal resistance ofa cell is inversely
proportional to the concentration of the electrolyte.
PRECAUTIONS
l. The connections should be neat , clean and tight.
2. The plugs should be introduced in the keys only
when the observations are to be taken.
3. The positive polls of the battery E and cells E1 and
E1 should, all be connected to the terminal at the
zero ofthe 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/or a
particular set ofobservation. If necessary , adjust
the rheostat for this purpose.

SOURCES OF ERROR
I. The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.
2. The potentiometer wire may not be ofuniform cross-
section and material density throughout its length.
3. End resistances n1ay not be zero.
 FLOWCHART
CONCLUSION
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: Factors Affecting Internal Resistance of a Cell :

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