PT.

RAM CHANDRA
MISHRA MEMORIAL
PUBLIC SCHOOL

NAME – ANSHMAN KHARE

CLASS – XII ‘A’
ROLL NO –

Acknowledgement
I feel proud to present my Investigatory
project in Physics on the topic “To
study the various factors on which
the internal resistance of a cell
depends”.This project wouldn’t have
been feasible without the proper and
rigorous guidance of my Physics teacher
Mr. Saurabh Tripathi who guided me
throughout this project in every possible
way on a step by step basis and
ensuring that I completed my project
with ease. His suggestions and
instructions have served as the major
contributor towards the completion of
the project. Then I would also like to

thank my principal Mr. Amit Mishra .

Rigorous hard work has been put in this
project to ensure that it proves to be the
best. I hope that this project will prove
to be a breeding ground for the next
generation of students and will guide
them in every possible way.

CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that ANSHMAN
KHARE, a student of class XII has
successfully completed the project
on the topic “Determination of
various factors on which the
internal resistance of a cell
depends” under the guidance of
Mr. Saurabh Tripathi (Physics
Teacher).This project is absolutely
genuine and does not indulge in
plagiarism of any kind. The
progress of the project has been
continuously reported and has been
acknowledged consistently.
________________
____________
MR. AMIT MISHRA SAURABH
Tripathi

(Principal) (Physics
Teacher)
________________
External Examiner

Contents
 Acknowledgement

 Certificate

 Introduction

 Objective

 Apparatus
 Theory

 Procedure

 Observations

 Conclusions

 Precautions

 Sources of error
 Introduction
There is a great need of batteries in our daily use
electronic appliances and the use is increasing every
day.
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.

 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

r = ( l 1−l 2 )R
l1

where l 1 , l 2 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 K 1 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 K 2 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 l 1 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 K 1 ,as well as in key K 2.

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 l 2 from end P.

14. Remove the plug keys at K 1 and K 2.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 diffrent 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 .

Diagram:-
Observations :-
S.No. Ammeter Pos. of null Shunt r=((l1−l 2 )/l 1)R

Reading point ( cm ) Resistance

(A) With Without R(Ω) Ω

R (l1 R ( l2 )

1.

2.

3.

Table for effect of temperature :-

S.No. Temper- l1 l2 Resista r=( l 1−l 2 )R Tr
l1
ature nce

(T) °C (cm) (cm) R (Ω) (Ω) (ΩK)

1.

2.

3.

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.

 Bibliography
www.Google.com

www.Wikipedia.com

Comprehensive Practical Physics by “Laxmi

Publications (P) LTD.”

Conclusions :-
1. The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is
equal to E = ______ 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.