DURGAPUR PUBLIC SCHOOL

To study the factors on which the internal resistance

of a cell depends.

NAME: MD ZUNAID KHAN

CLASS: XII-B

AISSCE ROLL NUMBER:

SUBJECT: Physics

SUBJECT CODE: 042

SESSION: 2024-25

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that MD Zunaid Khan of class XII-B of Durgapur

Public School has completed his assigned Physics project on the

topic “To study the factors on which the internal resistance of a cell

depends” in partial fulfillment of AISSCE as per CBSE in the academic

year 2024-25.

Viva voice held on:

Registration number:

__________________________ _________________________

Signature of Subject Teacher Principal’s Signature

____________________________

Signature of External Examiner

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 DECLARATION

I, MD Zunaid Khan, a student of Class XII-B, hereby declare that I have

completed my project putting in the best of my efforts and research. I hope

that the project qualifies to be accepted and appreciated by my teacher.

___________________________

Date: Signature of the Student

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to our respected physics teacher Mr.

Dipankar Sahoo for awarding us with the golden opportunity to plan and

execute this investigatory project titled “To study the factors on which the

internal resistance of a cell depends.”. His guidance and motivation have

been source of learning the driving force of this project. I would also like to

thanks our principal Mrs. Soma Roy for assigning us such a wonderful

mentor alongside excellent lab facilities for comprehensive learning. Lastly,

I thank my parents who helped me in making this project fruitful one and

finalizing the deadline.

_________________________

Date: Signature of Student

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 INDEX

SL NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1 INTRODUCTION 6

2 KEY TERMS 6-9

3 AIM 10

4 MATERIALS REQUIRED 10

5 PROCEDURE 10 - 13

6 OBSERVATIONS 14

7 RESULT AND INFERENCES 15

8 PRECAUTIONS 16

9 SOURCES OF ERROR 16

10 BIBLIOGRAPHY 17

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 INTRODUCTION

There is a great need of batteries in our daily use. Thus, 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 reliable.

KEY TERMS

1. Electromotive force (e.m.f) of a cell: The potential difference between

the two terminals of a cell in an open circuit is called e.m.f of the cell.

It is denoted by ‘E’.

2. Terminal potential difference of a cell: The potential difference

between the two terminals of a cell in a closed circuit is called

terminal potential difference of the cell. It is denoted by ‘V’.

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3. Internal resistance of a cell: The resistance offered by the electrolyte

of the cell in the path of flow of current through the interior is called its

internal resistance. It is denoted by the symbol ‘r’.

4. Relation between E.V. and r: Consider current ‘I’ flowing through a

circuit.

I = E/(R+r)

or E = I(R+r) … (1)

But terminal potential difference

V = IR … (2)

Dividing equation (1) by (2), we get

E/V = I(R+r)/IR = (R+r)/R

Or E/V = 1 + r/R

Or r = (E/V – 1)R

5. Factors affecting internal resistance of a cell:

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 Electrode surface area: The larger the surface area of the electrodes,

the lower the internal resistance.

r ∝ 1/A

 Electrode distance: The greater the distance between the electrodes,

higher is the resistance.

r∝d

 Electrolyte concentration: A higher concentration of electrolyte

decreases the internal resistance.

r ∝ 1/c

 Electrolyte nature: A less ionic electrolyte increases the internal

resistance.

 Electrolyte temperature: A higher temperature of the electrolyte

decreases the internal resistance.

6. Principle of a potentiometer: is the potential drop across a segment of

a wire is directly proportional to the length of the wire. This principle is

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true when the wire has a uniform cross-sectional area and a constant

current flows through it.

V∝l

V = Kl, where K is the potential gradient across the wire. Let no

deflection in galvanometer is obtained at length l1 only a small cell is

connected then -

E = Kl1

When a resistance is applied from the resistance box connected in

parallel to the resistance box, then terminal potential difference

across the cell

V = Kl2

Then, E/V = l1/l2

Therefore, r = (E/V-1)R = (l1/l2 – 1)R

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 Figure 1

AIM: To study the factors on which the internal resistance of a cell depends.

MATERIALS REQUIRED: A potentiometer, a battery (or battery

eliminator), 2 one way keys, a rheostat, a galvanometer, a resistance box,

an ammeter, a cell (Leclanche cell), a jockey, a set square, connecting

wires and sand paper.

PROCEDURE:

1)Draw a neat circuit diagram as shown in Figure 1.

2)Arrange all the apparatus according to the circuit diagram.

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3)Remove insulation from the ends of the connecting wires using a

sandpaper and make neat and tight connections according to the circuit

diagram.

4)Check the e.m.f of the battery and the cell, and make sure that e.m.f of

the battery should be greater than e.m.f of the cell.

A. To study the effect of distance between the

electrodes on internal resistance of the given

cell -

1) Keep both the electrodes at a distance of 16 cm.

2) Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat

resistance small.

3) Without inserting a plug in key K2, adjust the rheostat so that a

null point is obtained on the last wire of the potentiometer.

4) Determine 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.

5) Next introduce plugs in both keys K1 and K2. At the same time,

take out a small resistance (1-5 Ω) from the shunt resistance box

connected in parallel with the cell.

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 6) Slide the jockey along a potentiometer wire and obtain the null

point.

7) Measure the balancing length(l2) from end P. Record these

observations.

8) Now keep the electrodes 12 cm apart.

9) Then remove the plugs of keys K1 and K2. Wait for some time and

repeat steps 4 to 7.

10) Keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain

another set of observations.

B. To study variation of internal resistance with area of electrodes -

11) Keeping all other factors constant, increase the area of

electrodes in the electrolyte by dipping them into the electrolyte

and different depth for each observation.

12) Obtain three such observation by repeating steps 4 to 7 and

record your readings.

C. To study variation of internal resistance with area of electrodes -

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 13) Keeping all other factors constant, increase the area of

electrodes in the electrolyte by dipping them into the electrolyte at

different depths for each observation.

14) Obtain three such observations by repeating the steps 4 to 7

and record your readings.

D. To study variation of internal resistance with concentration of

electrolyte -

15) Keeping all other factors constant, decrease the concentration

of electrolyte by adding distilled water for different observations.

16) Obtained three such observations by repeating steps 4 to 7 and

record your readings.

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 OBSERVATIONS:

Position of null point (cm) Shunt Internal

S no. Ammeter Reading (A)
With R (l1) Without R (l2) Resistance R (Ω) Resistance r (Ω)

1. 0.3 660.5 35.5 1 0.94

2. 0.3 660.5 77.2 2 1.77

3. 0.3 660.5 108.3 3 2.51

Table for effect of separation between electrodes –

Separation between Balancing Point Balancing Point Internal Resistance r

S no. r/d
electrodes d (cm) l1 (cm) l2 (cm) (Ω)

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 1.406 1.406 0.38

Table for effect of temperature –

Internal
Temperature Resistance R
S no. l1 (cm) l2 (cm) Resistance r Tr (ΩK)
T (0C) (Ω)
(Ω)

1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.456 0.38 301.44

2. 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.95 0.38 291.96

3. 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38 283.87

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RESULT AND INFERENCES:

From the observation tables it can be concluded that:

 The electromotive force of the cell is constant and is equal to 0.98

volt.

 The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to

separation between the electrodes.

 The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

area of the electrodes dipped in the electrolyte.

 The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the

temperature of the electrodes.

 The internal resistance of cell is inversely proportional to the

concentration of the electrolyte.

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PRECAUTIONS:

 The connection should be need, clean and tight.

 The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when the

observations are to be taken.

 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.

 The jockey key should not be rubbed along the wire. It should touch

the wire gently.

 The ammeter reading women constant for a particular set of

observation. If necessary, adjust the rheostat for this purpose.

SOURCES OF ERROR:

 The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.

 The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross section and

material density throughout its length.

 End resistance may not be zero.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

 https://www.scribd.com/document/439546466/TO-STUDY-VARIOUS-

FACTORS-ON-WHICH-THE-INTERNAL-RESISTANCE-EMF-OF-A-

CELL-DEPENDS

 NCERT TEXTBOOK.

 Wikipedia.

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