CERTIFICATE

DAV SDPS PUBLIC SCHOOL, BHADRAK

PHYSICS 2024-25

This is to certify that MADHAVADITYA SWAIN, a

student of Class-XII has successfully completed the project
file on the topic “To study variation in current flowing in
circuit containing a LDR” under the guidance and
supervision of MR. ASHA PRADEEP MOHANTY
(PGT, PHYSICS) during year 2024 - 2025 in partial
fulfilment of physics practical examination conducted by
AISSCE, NEW DELHI.

Internal Examiner External Examiner Principal

 Acknowledgement
I would like to express my immense gratitude to my
chemistry teacher MR. ASHA
PRADEEP MOHANTY (PGT, Physics), for the help and
guidance they provided for completing the
investigatory project.

I also thank my parents who gave ideas and inputs in

completing this project. Most of all I would like to
thank my school management, for providing me the
facility and opportunity to do this project.

At last, I would like to thank my classmates whose

support made this project fruitful.
 INDEX
➢ ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
➢ BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE
➢ INTRODUCTION
➢ AIM & APPARATUS
➢ THEORY
➢ PROCEDURE
➢ OBSERVATIONS
➢ RESULT & CONCLUSION
➢ APPLICATIONS SOURCES OF ERROR
➢ BIBLIOGRAPHY
 INTRODUCTION
The general purpose photoconductive cell is also known as
LDR (light dependent resistor). It is a type of semiconductor
and its conductivity changes with proportional change in the
intensity of light.
There are two common types of materials used to
manufacture the photoconductive cells. They are Cadmium
Sulphide (CdS) and Cadmium Selenide (CdSe).
Extrinsic devices have impurities added, which have a ground
state energy closer to the conduction band since the
electrons don't have as far to jump, lower energy photons (i.e.
longer wavelengths and lower frequencies) are sufficient to
trigger the device. Two of its earliest applications were as part
of smoke and fire detection systems and camera light meters.
The structure is covered with glass sheet to protect it from
moisture and dust and allows only light to fall on it.
 AIM & APPARATUS

AIM:
• To study the variations, in current flowing in a circuit containing a
LDR, because of a variation:-
a) In the power of the incandescent lamp, used to 'illuminate'
the LDR. (Keeping all the lamps at a fixed distance).
b) In the distance of a incandescent lamp, (of fixed power),
used to 'illuminate' the LDR.

APPARATUS:
1. Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
2. Connecting Wires
3. Source of different power rating (bulbs)
4. Bulb Holder
5. Meter scale
6. Multi Meter
7. Battery
 THEORY

I. LDR and its characteristics:

When light is incident on it, a photon is absorbed and thereby it excites

an electron from valence band into conduction band. Due to such new
electrons coming up in conduction band area, the electrical resistance
of the device decreases. Thus the LDR or photo-conductive transducer
has the resistance which is the inverse function of radiation intensity.

λ0 = threshold wavelength, in meters

e = charge on one electron, in Coulombs

Ew = work function of the metal used, in Ev

Here we must note that any radiation with wavelength greater than the
value obtained in above equation cannot produce any change in the
resistance of this device.

The band gap energy of Cadmium Sulphide is 2.42eV and for Cadmium
Selenide it is 1.74eV. Due to such large energy gaps, both the materials
have extremely high resistivity at room temperature.
Characteristics of photoconductive cells
Now when the device is kept in darkness, its resistance is called as
dark resistance. This resistance is typically of the order of 10 13 ohms.
When light falls on it, its resistance decreases up to several kilo ohms
or even hundreds of ohms, depending on the intensity of light, falling
on it.

The spectral response characteristics of two commercial cells were

compared in our laboratory. And we found that there is almost no
response to the radiation of a wavelength which was shorter than
300nm. It was very interesting to note that the Cadmium Sulphide cell
has a peak response nearer or within the green color of the spectrum
within a range of 520nm. Thus it can be used nearer to the infra-red
region up to 750nm. It was found that the maximum response of
Cadmium Sulphoselenide is in the yellow-orange range at 615nm and
also it can be used in the infra-red region up to about 970nm.
SENSITIVITY
The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship between
the light falling on the device and the resulting output signal.
In the case of a photocell, one is dealing with the relationship
between the incident light and the corresponding resistance
of the cell.
SPECTRAL RESPONSE
Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of a photoconductive cell
is dependent on the wavelength (color) of the incident light. Each
photoconductor material type has its own unique spectral response
curve or plot of the relative response of the photocell versus
wavelength of light.
2. Luminous Flux Variation:
Considering the source to be a point radiating in all
directions; consider a steradian (or even a simple sphere),
take a small element dA on the steradian at a distance 'r' from
the source. It comprises a small part of the energy radiated
(dEr).
Now, go further to a distance 'R' (R>r) from the source,
consider the same area element dA, it comprises a much
smaller part of energy radiated (dER).
[dEr> dER]
It varies inversely as the square of the distance.
 PROCEDURE
• Choose a specific position for the source and mount it using a
holder, make sure it is stable.
• Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect it to
the holder as shown in the figure.
• Connect the LDR, battery(6V) and the multimeter in series.

• Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable range

and measure the resistance with a bulb on.
• Similarly switch to current section and move to micro ampere
in the multimeter. This gives the value of the current.
• Repeat these steps with different power sources at different
distances and note down observations.
 OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with

different power ratings. Voltage of the battery = 6 V

A. 15 watts (yellow) (wavelength = 570nm)

B. 15 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength= 610nm)

C. 40 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength= 610nm)

D. 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

 CONCLUSION & RESULT

• The LDR resistance decreases with increase in intensity

of light and hence there is an increase in the flow of
current.
• There is an increase in the current as the distance from
the source decreases.
• The intensity decreases as the distance from the source
increases.
• The error lies within the experimental limit.
 APPLICATIONS
Lead sulfide (PbS) and indium antimonide (InSb) LDRs are used for
the mid infrared spectral region. GeCu photoconductors are among
the best far infrared detectors available, and are used for infrared
astronomy and infrared spectroscopy.

Analog Applications
• Camera Exposure Control
• Auto Slide Focus - dual cell
• Photocopy Machines - density of toner
• Colorimetric Test Equipment
• Densitometer
• Electronic Scales - dual cell
• Automatic Gain Control — modulated light source
Automated Rear View Mirror

Digital Applications
• Automatic Headlight Dimmer
• Night Light Control
• Oil Burner Flame Out
• Street Light Control
• Position Sensor
*IDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its
resistance changes drastically for a particular light intensity.
 SOURCES OF ERROR

• The LDR may not be perpendicular to the source.

• Connections may be faulty.
• The experiment should be conducted in a dark room.
• Measurements should be taken accurately.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY

❖ NCERT physics class XII

❖ Art of Electronics by paul worowitz
❖ www.wikipedia.com
❖ www.eIectronics2000.co.uk/Iinks/education-hobby/
❖ www.ecelab.com/
❖ laboratory manual in physics
❖ Practical physics