Kendriya Vidyalaya No-

3,BBSR
Physics Investigatory Project
About
• Name-Priyanshu Mukherjee
• Class & sec-XII B
• Roll No.-40
Acknowledgement
• 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
Certificate
• 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)
 TOPIC

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.
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 radiate on intensity.
Formula
• 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.
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
THANK YOU