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
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 high resistance,
A cell,
A Jockey,
A set square,
Connecting wires,

Water bath,
Thermometer (0-100C),
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
electrolyte.
Is inversely
electrolyte.

with

increase

proportional

in
to

temperature

of

concentration

of

The internal resistance of a cell is given by r = ( )R

Where, 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).
.Take maximum current from the battery, making
rheostat resistance small.
7. Without inserting the plug in the key 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 between the point and the end P of
Wire.
1

0. Take out the 2000 ohm plug again from the resistance box R.B. in

,
plugs in the key
(1-5 ) 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

14.

Remove the plug keys at

from end P.
and

.Wait for so

Same value of current (as shown by ammeter)

repeats the steps 7 to 13.
15. Repeat the observations for different values of R
repeating each observation twice.
16. Calculate the internal resistance of cell by
using the above relation for r.

Step 2

16. Calculate the internal resistance of cell by

using the above
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 d water
and determine internal resistance of cell in each
case.
Observations:S.No.

(A)
2.
3.

Ammete Pos. of Shunt

r
null
Resista
Reading point
nce
( cm )
With R Without R ( )
(l1 )
R ( l2 )
0.3
660.5 77.2
2
0.3
660.5 108.3 3

r=(L-L
L)R

1.77
2.51

Table for effect of separation between electrodes:S.No.

Separ Balan
ation cing
betwe length
en
Electrode (cm) ( l1 )
s-d (cm)
1.
1.2
326.6
2.
2.5
320.7
3.
3.7
660.5

Balan r=
cing
(Llength LL)R
(cm) (l2)
276.9
219.1
350.9

r/d

()

0.456
0.95
1.406

0.38
0.38
0.38

Table for effect of temperature:S.No. Temp l1

erature

l2

Resis r=
Tr
tance (L-L/L
)R

1.

40

325

12

0.96

2.

32

552

23.6

0.95

3.

27

660.5 35.5

0.94

301.4
4
291.9
6
283.8
7

Conclusions :
Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is
equal to E =0.98 Volt
2.The internal resistance of a cell is directly
proportional
electrodes.

to

the

separation

between

the

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.
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 is 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.g. 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

throughout its length.

3. End resistances may not be zero.

density