Physics project
TOPIC: STUDY OF VARIOUS
FACTORS ON WHICH THE
INTERNAL RESISTANCE/EMF OF
A CELL DEPENDS.
s
INDEX
TOPICS
no.
1. INTRODUCTION
Internal resistance
2. PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
Objective
Apparatus
Theory
Circuit Diagram
Procedure
Result & Inferences
Precautions
Sources of error
3. FLOWCHART CONCLUSION
4. BIBLIOGRAPHY
INTRODUCTION
There is a great need of batteries in our daily use
electronic appliances and the use is increasing
every [Link],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 of a cell.
When the internal resistance of the cell is
decreased we can increase the potential
difference across it, and hence make it more
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 (Ω)
• For a cell of e.m.f (E) and internal resistance (r), connected
to an external resistance ( R)such that(I) is the current
flowingthrough the circuit.
E=V+Ir
• Internal resistance r=E-V/I
PRACTICAL ANALYSIS
OBJECTIVE
To study the various factors on which the internal resistance of a cell depends.
APPARATUS
A potentiometer,a battery(or battery eliminator),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 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.
PROCEDURE
1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and make tight connections
according to the circuit diagram.
[Link] the plugs of the resistance box.
[Link] the e.m.f of the battery and of the cell and make sure that e.m.f 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
[Link] both the electrons at a distance of 16cm.
[Link] maximum current from the battery,making rheostat resistance small.
[Link] inserting a plug in key k2,adjust the rheostat so that a null point is obtained on
the last wire of the potentiometer.
[Link] the position of the null point accurately using a set square and measure the
balancing length (l1) between the null point and the end P.
[Link] introduce plugs in both keys K1 and [Link] the same time,take out a small
resistance(1-5W) from the shunt resistance box connected in parallel with the cell.
[Link] the jockey along a potentiometer wire and obtain the null point.
10. Measure the balancing length (l2) from end P. Record these
observations.
11. Now keep the electrodes 12 cm apart.
12. Then remove the plugs of keys K1 and [Link] for some time and repeat
steps 7 to 10.
13. Next, keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain another set of
observations.
To study variation of internal resistance with area of electrodes
14. Keeping all other factors constant, increase the area of electrodes in
the electrolytes by dipping them into the electrolyte at different depths for
each observation.
15. Obtain three such observation by repeating steps 7 to 10. Record your
readings.
To study variation of internal resistance with concentration of electrolyte
[Link] all other factors constant, decrease the concentration of
electrolyte by adding distilled water for different observations.
17. Obtain three such observations by repeating step 7 to 10. record your
Table for effect of Temperature
• The Electromotive 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
separationbetween the electrodes.
• The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the area of the
electrodes dipped in electrolyte
• The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the temperature of
electrolytes.
• 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.
SOURCES OF ERROR
[Link] auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.
[Link] potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross-section and material
density throughout its length
3. End resistances may not be zero.