TECHNOLOGY STUDY FILE 8

INVESTIGATING THE LDR

In industry, light sensors are used to measure levels of light so people can work safely and without eye strain. Another use is in photography, where it is necessary to measure accurately the level of light needed to take correctly exposed photographs. The sensor often used in these applications is the light dependent resistor (LDR). This is a special resistor whose resistance changes with the level of light.

LDR symbol LDR type ORP 12

You can investigate the LDR using a meter and prototyping board. Connect a multimeter to the LDR on the prototyping board as shown:

Switch the multimeter to the resistance range you want. This will be either the x 1 range which gives a direct reading from the resistance scale or the x 1 k range which gives 1000 times the scale reading. Other meters can have other resistance ranges.

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Cover the LDR completely with your finger and then read the value of the resistance from your multimeter. Write the value in Table 1 in the correct place. Now copy and complete the table by measuring the LDRs resistance in other situations.

INDOORS Situation LDR completely covered Fluorescent lit room 60 W lamp at 1 m 6 V 0.06 A lamp at 10 cm
Table 1

OUTDOORS Resistance Situation Dull/overcast Cloudy bright Hazy sun Bright sunlight Resistance

The scientific word for level of lighting is illumination. The unit used to measure illumination is the lux. So the brighter it is, the higher the illumination and the greater the number of lux.

LDR RESISTANCE GRAPH

The graph shows how the resistance of the LDR gets smaller as illumination increases. The results of your tests in Table 1 should confirm this; i.e. with a high level of illumination (bright sun), the resistance of the LDR should be low. When the LDR is covered, the resistance should be high - up to 1 M. Q If 40 lux is shining on the LDR, what is the resistance? A The point is (40,29) so the resistance is 29 k. Q What is the illumination if the resistance reads 80 k? A The point is (13,80) so the brightness is 13 lux.

Resistance ( k )

Illumination ( lux )

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EXERCISE
1 Take about four readings from the graph and explain what they mean. 2 Suppose the resistance is 40 k, what does the graph tell you about the brightness?

The LDR resistance graph shown is only useful for an illumination level of up to 70 lux. However, in bright sunlight, illumination levels can reach as high as 100 000 lux. If the graph was drawn with an illumination scale to cover the range 0 to 100 000 lux, readings of resistance for low levels would be inaccurate. The solution is to plot the same points on new scales called logarithmic scales as shown here. This method of plotting values compresses the scales allowing a wide range of illumination levels to be covered and still allows you to read resistance values with reasonable accuracy.

(14,74)

Resistance (k )

(50,23)

10 10

Illumination (lux)

EXERCISE
1 Copy the above graph onto the graph paper specially provided. Plot the points (50,23), (14,74) and others from your previous exercise on the graph and check they are all on the same line. 2 Try some new points of your own and confirm they are all on the line. 3 Now extend the graph for new values for illumination and resistance.

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A SCIENCE INVESTIGATION
You can use the light level indicator to investigate what happens to the intensity of light as you move away from a light source. You will need: A light source - a 12 V lamp in a holder (you might need a shield or a reflector). A 12 V power supply for the lamp. A metre rule. Your light level indicator.

Making a prediction How will the light level change as you move away from the source? Be as precise as you can. Try to express your prediction in mathematical terms or sketch a graph.

intensity of light
distance from light source Testing your prediction What are the variables? Which will you change and measure? Are there any that you need to keep constant? Remember to think about how you will record your results. Make sure that you record all of your results. Produce a graph of your results. Check this graph against your prediction. How does this affect the position of lighting in rooms, near machines and so on?

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