2018

PHYSIC
PROJECT

AISSCE
BIRLA INTERNATIONAL
MINDS ON WINGS

SCHOOL,
KISHANGARH
Topic

TO STUDY THE VARIOUS

FACTORS ON WHICH
THE INTERNAL
RESISTANCE OF A CELL
DEPENDS
BY:Aditya Rajawat
CLASS: XII-B
ROLL NO :

SUBMITTED TO: MR. SANJAY MISHRA

 Index
Acknowledgement
Certificate
Introduction : cell
E.M.F.
Potential Difference
Terminal Voltage
Internal Resistance
Relation between e.m.f, internal resistance ,
terminal voltage
 Potentiometer
Determination of Internal Resistance Using the
Potentiometer
Factors Affecting Internal Resistance
Experiment: To study the various factors on
which the internal resistance of a cell depends.
Bibliography
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project would not have been possible without the
support and guidance of my Physics teacher, MR.
SANJAY MISHRA to whom I’m deeply indebted, the
facilities provided by the Physics Lab and the patience
and cooperation of many.Then I would like to thank my
parents and friends who have helped me with their
valuables suggestions and guidance has been helpful in
various phases of the completion of the project.

Last but not the least I would like to thank all my

classmates and those who had helped me directly or
indirectly towards the completion of this project.

Aditya Rajawat

CLASS: XII-B
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Aditya Rajawatof class 12th B
Birla International School, Kishangarh has done his
project titled by “To study the various factors on
which the internal resistance of a cell
depends”genuinely,sincerely and satisfactorily.The
report is the result of his efforts and endeavor. The
report is found worthy of acceptance as final
project report for the subject Science of grade XII.
He has prepared the report under my guidance. This
project is taken into the issue conducted by the
CBSE in the session 2017-2018.
(Dr. Sanjay Mishra)
Head of Department - Physics
Department of Science
Birla International School, Kishangarh.

Teacher’s Signature

________________
INTRODUCTION
CELL: It is a device which converts chemical energy into electrical
energy, it is of two types:

Primary cells (non-rechargeable cells)

Secondary cells (rechargeable cells).

EMF
When no current is drawn from a cell i.e., when the cell is in open
circuit, the potential difference between the terminals of the cell is
called its electromotive force. Shortly it is represented as e.m.f. it is the
voltage developed by any source of electrical energy such as a dynamo
or a battery.

Note

The word "force" in this case is not used to mean mechanical force,
measured in newton, but a potential, or energy per unit of charge,
measured in volts.

EMF depends on the material of the electrodes and the electrolyte used
in the cell. It does not depend on the shape of the electrodes, the
distance between the electrodes, or the amount of electrolyte. The
EMF of a cell also does not depend on the amount of current drawn
from it.

Factors affecting e.m.f: (i) The material of the electrodes

(ii) The electrode used in the cell.

The e.m.f of a cell does not depend on the shape of the electrodes, the
distance between the electrodes and the amount of the electrolyte
used in it and e.m.f of the cell does not depend on the amount of the
current drawn from it.

Potential Difference
The potential difference between two points in in an electric circuit is
defined as the amount of work done in moving a unit positive charge
from one point to the other desired point.

Potential difference = work done / Quantity of charge moved

Terminal Voltage
Terminal voltage= the actual potential difference across the terminals
of the supply when a current is being supplied.

Note

If a closed circuit is set up so that electrons flow from negative to

positive terminals, the terminal voltage drops below EMF value.

Chemical reactions within the cell cannot separate charges fast enough
to keep maximum charge separation. The charges must flow between
electrolyte and terminals, and there is always some resistance to this,
called internal resistance (r).

As a result, when current flows, there is an internal voltage drop equal

to Ir, and from this,

VT = ε - Ir note that when I = 0, VT = ε.

Internal Resistance
The energy supplied by a cell to a charge is used to overcome the
electrical resistance in the external circuit and the resistance offered by
the cell itself to raise the charge from lower potential to higher
potential. The resistance offered by the cell when a charge is brought
from lower potential to higher potential within itself is called its
internal resistance.

Internal resistance is defined as the resistance offered by the

electrolyte of the cell to the flow of ions. Its S.I. unit is Ohm ().

Relationship Among the Electro Motive Force, Terminal Voltage and

Internal Resistance

For a cell of e.m.f (E) and internal resistance (r), connected to an

external resistance (R) such that (I) is the current flowing through the
circuit,
Total resistance of the circuit = (𝑅 + 𝑟)

𝐸 = 𝐼 (𝑅 + 𝑟) ----------- 1

But the potential difference of the cell ‘V’

= P.D. between A and D = 𝐸 − 𝐼𝑟

= P.D. between B and C= 𝐼𝑅,

i.e. 𝑉 = 𝐸 − 𝐼𝑟 = 𝐼𝑅---------- 2

From 1 and 2, the internal resistance

𝐸
𝑟 = 𝑅 ( − 1)
𝑉

Potentiometer
A potentiometer is an instrument for measuring the potential or
voltage across a portion of a circuit. Before the introduction of moving
coil and digital voltmeters, voltage was measured using
potentiometersThe potentiometer works on the principle that when a
constant current flows through a wire of uniform cross section material,
the potential difference between any two points on it is directly
proportional to the length of the wire between the points.

𝑽 ∝𝑰
𝑽 = 𝒌𝑰

where (k) is a constant of proportionality called the potential gradient

of the potentiometer wire.
In this arrangement, a fraction of a known voltage from a resistive slide
wire is compared with an unknown voltage by means of a
galvanometer. The sliding contact or wiper of the potentiometer is
adjusted and the galvanometer briefly connected between the sliding
contact and the unknown voltage. The deflection of the galvanometer
is observed and the sliding top adjusted until the galvanometer no
longer deflects from zero. At that point, the galvanometer draws no
current from the unknown source, and the magnitude of voltage can be
calculated from the position of the sliding contact.

Determination of Internal Resistance Using the

Potentiometer

For the determination of internal resistance, set up the circuit as

shown,
It can be seen that when only key K1 is closed, (l1) is the balancing
length.

𝐸 = 𝑘𝑙1 ------------------ (3)

When key K2 is also closed, (l2) is the balancing length.

𝑉 = 𝑘𝑙2 ------------------ (4)

From (3) and (4),

𝐸 𝑙1
=
𝑉 𝑙2
Therefore
𝑙1
𝑟 = 𝑅 ( − 1)
𝑙2

Factors Affecting Internal Resistance

The resistance of a metallic conductor is given by
𝜌𝑙
𝑅=
𝐴
where (l) is the length of the conductor, (A) its area of cross-section and
(ρ) the resistivity of the metal.

By analogy, the internal resistance of the cell can be given in terms of

the distance between the electrodes of the cell (d), common area of the
cross-section of the electrodes of the cell (A) and the ionic
concentration of the electrolyte (C),
𝑑
𝑅=
𝐶𝐴
From the above equation it can be seen that:

1. Larger the separation between the electrodes of the cell, more the
length of the electrolyte through which current has to flow and
consequently a higher value of internal resistance.
2. Greater the conductivity of the electrolyte, lesser is the internal
resistance of the cell.ie internal resistance depends on the nature of
the electrolyte.
3. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
common area of the electrodes dipping in the electrolyte.
4. The internal resistance of a cell depends on the nature of the
electrodes.

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

Apparatus:-
A Potentiometer , a battery (battery eliminator) , two way keys , a
rheostat of low resistance , a galvanometer , a high resistance , an
ammeter , a cell , a Jockey , a set square , connecting wires , water bath
, thermometer(0-100°C) , burner , tripod stand , wire gauge .

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 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 of

a cell is given by

𝑙1 − 𝑙2
r=( )R
𝑙1

Where𝒍𝟏 , 𝒍𝟐 are the balancing lengths without resistance and with

resistance (shunt), respectively and R is the shunt resistance in parallel
with the given cell.

procedure:-
Step 1

1. Draw the circuit diagram showing the scheme of connections.

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and make
tight connections according to the circuit diagrams.
3. Tight the plugs of the resistance box.
4. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and cell and see that e.m.f. and
see that e.m.f. of the battery is more than that of given
cell,otherwise null or balance point will not be obtained (E' >E).
5. Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat
resistance small.

6. To test the corrections of the connections.(insert the plug in the key

𝐾1 and note the ammeter reading .Take out 2000 ohm resistance
plug from resistance box. Place the jokey first at the end P of the
wire and then at the end Q. If the galvanometer shows deflection
in opposite direction in the two cases the connections are
correct).
7. Without inserting the plug in the key 𝐾2 adjust the rheostat so
that a null point is obtained on the 4th wire of potentiometer.
8. Insert the 2000 ohm plug back in the position in resistance box
and by slightly adjusting the jockey near the previous obtained
position of null point, obtain null point position accurately, using a
set square.
9. Measure the balancing length 𝑙1 between the point and the end P
of the wire.
10. Take out the 2000 ohm plug again from the resistance box R.B.
introduce plugs in the key 𝐾1 ,as well as in key𝐾2 . Take out small
resistance
(1-5 Ω) from the resistance box R connected in parallel with the
cell.
11. Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain null
point.
12. Insert 2000 ohms plug back in its position in R.B. and if necessary
make further adjustment for sharp null point.
13. Measure the balancing length 𝑙2 from end P.
14. Remove the plug keys at 𝐾1 and 𝐾2 .Wait for some time and for
the same value of current (as shown by ammeter) repeat the
steps 7 to 13.
15. Repeat the observations for different values of R repeating each
observation twice.
16. Calculate the internal resistance of cell by using the above relation
for r.

Step 2
To see the effect of distance between the electrodes on internal
resistances keeping the other factors constant;vary separation
between electrodes and measure internal resistance in each case.
Step 3
To see the effect of the temperature of electrolyte on internal
resistance by keeping other factors constant.
Keep primary cells in water bath to heat the electrolyte.
Determine the internal resistance at various temperatures.

Step 4
To see the effect of concentration (nature) of electrolyte on
internal resistance by :-
Keeping the other factors constant, decrease concentration of
electrolyte by adding the distilled water and determine internal
resistance of cell in each case.
observations :-
S.No. Ammeter Pos. of null point Shunt r=((𝑙1 − 𝑙2 )⁄𝑙1 )R
Reading ( cm ) Resistance
(A) With Without R(Ω) Ω
R (l1 ) R ( l2 )
1.
2.
3.

Table for effect of separation between electrodes:-

S.No. Separation Balancing Balancing r=((𝑙1 − 𝑙2 )⁄𝑙1 )R r/d

between length length

Electrodes-d (cm) (cm) ( l1 ) (cm) (l2) (Ω)

1.
2.
3.

table for effect of temperature:-

S.No. Temper- l1 l2 Resistan 𝒍 −𝒍𝟐

r=( 𝟏 )R Tr
𝒍𝟏
ature ce

(T) °C (cm) (cm) R (Ω) (Ω) (ΩK)

1.
2.
3.
Conclusions:-
1. The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is equal to
E = 0.98 Volt
2. The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to the
separation between the electrodes.
3. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the area
of the electrodes dipped in electrolyte.
4. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
temperature of electrolytes.
5. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
concentration of the electrolyte.

PRECAUTIONS:-
1. 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 E2 should, all
be connected to the terminal at the zero of the 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 for a particular set
of observation. If necessary, adjust the rheostat for this purpose.
6. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than the e.m.f.'s of the
either of the two cells.
7. Some high resistance plug should always be taken out from
resistance box before the jockey is moved along the wire.
8. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than that of the cell.
 9. For one set of observation the ammeter reading should remain
constant.
10. Current should be passed for short time only, while finding the
null point.
11. Rheostat should be adjusted so that initial null point lies on last
wire of the potentiometer.
12. Cell should not be disturbed during experiment.
13. Jockey should not be rubbed against the potentiometer wire.

Sources of error:-
1. The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.
2. The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross-section and
material density throughout its length.
3. End resistances may not be zero.
BIBLOGRAPHY

www.scribd.com

www.docslide.com

www.wikipedia.com

www.slideshare.com