OBJECTIVE

To study various factors on which the internal resistance/EMF 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 (Leclanche or Daniel cell), a Jockey, a set of square
connecting wires, water bath, thermometer(0-100 ˚C), burner, tripod
stand, wire gauze etc.
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
i. Is directly proportional to distance between the electrodes.
ii. Inversely proportional to facing surface area of electrodes in
electrolytes.
iii. Decrease with increase in temperature of electrolyte.
iv. Inversely proportional to concentration of electrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is given by

r=
( )
l 1−l 2
l1
R (1)

Where l1 and l2 are the balancing lengths without resistance and with
resistance (shunt), respectively and R is the shunt resistance in
parallel with the given cell.
 DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE
Step 1
1. Arrange apparatus as shown in circuit diagram.
2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and
make tight connections according to the circuit diagram.
3. Tight the plugs of the resistance box.
4. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and cell and see that emf of the
battery is more than that of the 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 correctness of the connections.( Insert the plug in the
key K 1 and note the ammeter reading. Take out 2000 ohm
resistance plug from the resistance box. Place the jockey first at
the end P of the wire and then at the end Q. if the galvanometer
shows deflections in opposite directions in the two cases, the
connections are correct)
 7. Without inserting the plug in the key K 2 adjust the rheostat so
that a null point is obtained on the fourth wire of the
potentiometer.
8. Insert 2000 ohm plug back in its position in resistance box and
by slightly adjusting the jockey near the previously obtained
position of null pint, obtain the null point position accurately,
using a set square.
9. Measure the balancing length l1 between this point and the end P
of the wire.
10. Take out 2000 ohms plug again from the resistance box
R.B. Introduce the plugs in key K 1, as well as in key K 2. Take out
a small resistance (1-5 ohm)
Step 3
To see the effects of area (size) of electrodes in electrolyte on internal
resistance keeping the other factors constant, increase the area of the
electrolyte by dipping them into electrolyte and measure the internal
resistance of the cell in each case. Plot the graph between two.
Step 4
To see the effect of the temperature of electrolyte on the internal
resistance by keeping other factors constant, keep primary cell in
water bath to heat the electrolyte. Determine the internal resistance at
various temperatures. Plot the graph between the two.
Step 5
To see effect of the concentration (nature) of electrolyte on internal
resistance by keeping the other factors constant, decrease the
concentration of electrolyte by adding the distilled water and
determine the internal resistance of cell in each case. Plot the graph
between the two.
OBSERVATION
(A) Internal resistance of the cell
01. Least count of the ammeter = 0.05 A
Zero error correction in ammeter = 0 A
EMF of the driving cell E’ = 4 V
EMF of the standard cell (Leclanche or Daniel Cell) E = 1.1 V.
02. Table for internal resistance for step 1.
Table 01

( )
Sr. No. Ammeter Position of null points (cm) l 1−l 2
Reading(A) With R (l1) With R, (l2) Shunt r= R
l1
Resistance
R (ohm)
1 0.3 660.5 35.5 1 0.94
2 0.3 660.5 77.2 2 1.77
3 0.3 660.5 108.2 3 2.57

(B) To study the effect of separation between the electrodes

1. EMF of cell E = 1.1 V
Temperature = 27°C
2. Table for effect of separation between electrodes for step 2
Table 02

( )
Sr. No. Separation Balancing Balancing l 1−l 2 r/d
between Length l1 Length l1 r= R
l1
electrodes d (cm) (cm)
(cm)
1 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.456 0.38
2 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.95 0.38
3 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38

It is observed that internal resistance increases with increase in

separation between the electrodes of r ∝ d.
(C) Effect of temperature of electrolyte on the internal resistance
1. EMF of cell E = 1.1 V
Table for the effect of temperature
Table 03.

( )
Sr. Temperature l1 (cm) l2 (cm) Resistance l1 Tr
No. (T) ˚C R (Ω ) r= −1 R Ω
l2
1 40 325 12 1 0.6 301.44
2 32 552 13.6 1 0.6 291.96
3 27 660.5 35.6 1 0.6 283.87

CONCLUSIONS
1. The EMF of a cell is constant E = 1.1 V.
2. The internal resistance of a cell is directly to the separation between
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 the electrolytes.
5. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
concentration of electrolyte.

PRECAUTIONS
1. The connections should be neat, clean and tight.
2. The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when observations
are to be taken.
3. The positive poles of the battery W 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 remains 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 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 EMF 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 resistance may not be zero.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. CBSE suggested project list.
2. Google website
3. Comprehensive Practical Manual
4. NCERT class XII Book