Kendriya Vidyalaya

No- 3,BBSR
Physics Investigatory
Project
Abou
t
• Name-Priyanshu Mukherjee
• Class & sec-XII B
• Roll No.-40
 Acknowledgemen
t• I would like to sincerely like to thank Mr. A.K.Mahapatra , who has been there
always to help me carrying out this experiment acting as the guiding spirit behind
the compiling of this project report.
• I have to appreciate guidance given by sir. This has improved my project. Thanks
to his comments and advices.

-Priyanshu Mukherjee
Certificat
e
• This is to certify that the project work in Physics titled “Physics
Investigatory Project” has been carried out by Priyanshu Mukherjee
of XII B
• Under the supervision and guidance of –Mr. AK Mahapatra(PGT
Physics)
 TOPI
C

To Study Variation of Current Using a LDR

Abstract

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.
Objectiv
e
• 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.
Theor
y
• 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 radiate on intensity.
Formul
a
• 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.
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.
Sensitivity & Spectral
Response
• 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.
• 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.
Materials
Required:
• Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
• Connecting Wires
• Source of different power rating (bulbs)
• Bulb Holder
• Metre scale
• Multi Meter
• Battery
Circuit
Diagram
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
Observations
Application :
-
• 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 and much more.
Conclusio
n
• 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
THANK
YOU