PHYSICS – INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I would like to express my gratitude to my teacher and CBSE for giving me this opportunity to
conduct this investigatory project on the topic, ‘Factors affecting the internal resistance of a
primary cell’, which has helped me learn about the scientific and research process.

I would also like to thank my family and friends who have helped me in finalizing the project in
the limited time frame.

AIM

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

APPARATUS

Potentiometer, battery, three one-way keys, a rheostat of low resistance, a galvanometer, a high
resistance box, an ammeter, a voltmeter, a Leclanche cell, electrolytes of different
concentrations, a jockey, connecting wires and sand paper.

THEORY

Internal resistance is defined as the resistance offered by the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of
current through it. Electromotive force (EMF) is defined as the potential difference of a cell in an
open circuit. The internal resistance of a cell depends on

1. Distance between the electrodes.

2. Common area of electrodes immersed in water.
3. Concentration of the electrolyte.
4. Temperature of electrolyte.
It is given by the formula:

R = (E-V)/I

Where ‘E’ is EMF, ‘I’ is current flowing through the circuit and ‘V’ is potential difference across
the cell.

Principle of a potentiometer: Potential difference across the length of a conductor of uniform

area of cross-section carrying steady current is directly proportional to its length.

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

PROCEDURE

Set up

1. Clean the ends of connecting wires with sand paper and make tight connections
according to the circuit diagram.
2. Check the EMF of the battery and of the cell and ensure that EMF of battery is more than
that of the cell.
Measuring internal resistance of the cell

1. Connect different electrical components as shown in the circuit. After checking the
circuit connections, close key K1.
2. With keys K2 and K3 open and a protective high resistance P from the RBOX 2, find the
position of the balance point. For final reading, short circuit the resistance P by closing
the key K3 and find the balance length l0.
3. Take R = 10 Ω (from RBOX 1), close the key K2 and quickly measure the new balance
length l. Open K2 as soon as this has been done.
4. Keep the readings in the ammeter constant throughout the above observation.
5. Reduce the value of R in equal steps of 1 Ω and for each value of R obtain the balance
length l.
6. At the end of the experiment, open key K2 and repeat step 2 to find l0 again.

Effect of separation between the plates

1. Determine the internal resistance of the cell for different separations between the plates
with the same electrolyte.
2. Keep the temperature of the electrolyte common area of the plates immersed in
electrolyte same throughout the observation.

Effect of concentration of the electrolyte

1. Immerse the primary cells in water bath to heat the electrolyte.

2. Determine the internal resistance of the cell at different temperatures.
3. Keep the separation between the plates and common area of the plates same throughout
the observation.

OBSERVATION TABLES

Table for effect of separation between electrodes

 S. No. Separation Balancing Balancing Internal r/d
between length(l) length (l0) Resistance
electrodes (cm) (cm) (r)
(d)(cm)
1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.456 0.38
2. 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.95 0.38
3. 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38

Table for effect of temperature of the electrolyte

S. No. Temperatur Balancing Balancing Internal Tr

e (T) (°C) length (l) length (l0) Resistance
(cm) (cm) (r)

1. 40 325 12 0.96 301.44

2. 32 552 23.6 0.95 291.96
3. 27 660.5 35.5 1.406 283.87

RESULT

1. Internal resistance of a cell increases with increase in distance between the electrodes.
2. Internal resistance of cell decreases with increase in temperature of the electrolyte.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Ensure that the emf of battery E is greater than emf of cell E1.
2. Positive terminals of E and E1 both should be connected at terminal A of the
potentiometer.
3. The current should not be passed for a long time so as to avoid any heating of the wires
resulting in the change of resistance.
 4. The length of the wire should always be measured from the end A of the wire, where all
the positive terminals are connected.
5. Jockey should not be pressed too hard on the wire, otherwise the diameter of the wire
may not remain uniform. Also do not press the jockey on the wire while sliding it.

SOURCES OF ERROR

1. Potentiometer wire may not be of uniform area of cross-section throughout its entire
length.
2. The emf of the auxiliary battery producing the fall of potential along the potentiometer
may not be constant throughout the course of experiment.
3. End resistance of potentiometer wire are not taken into account.
4. Heating of the potentiometer wire due to current, may introduce some error.

BIBLIOGRAPHY

• www.ncert.nic.in
• www.google.com
• www.en.wikipedia.com
• Class 12 Practical Lab Manual