Investigatory Project On LDR

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Acknowledgement

I would like to thank my chemistry teacher Mrs. Amudha for her constant guidance, motivation, moral encouragement and sympathetic attitude towards the success of this project.I also want to thank the principal and the institution for providing the necessary materials.I would also like to extend my gratitude towards the lab attendant, my parents and everyone who has helped me in completing the project successfully.

DRUPAD P

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Bonafide certificate

This is to certify that DRUPAD P of class XII has successfully completed the investigatory project on “TO STUDY VARIATION OF CURRENT USING A LDR" under the guidance of Mrs. Amudha.This project is absolutely genuine and doesn't not involve in any kind of plagiarism.This is in partial fulfillment of Physics practical examination AISSCE 2013.

Department of Physics (AMUDHA)

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INDEX

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT i

BONAFIDE CERTIFICATE ii

INTRODUCTION 01

APPLICATIONS 02

AIM & APPARATUS 03

THEORY 04

PROCEDURE 09

OBSERVATIONS 10

RESULT & CONCLUSION 12

SOURCES OF ERROR 13

BIBLIOGRAPHY 14

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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.

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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

*LDR has a disadvantage that when its temperature changes, its resistance changes drastically for a particular light intensity.

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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:Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)Connecting WiresSource of different power rating (bulbs)Bulb HolderMetre scaleMulti MeterBattery

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THEORY

1.) 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 meterse = charge on one electron, in CoulombsEw = 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 is1.74eV. Due to such large energy gaps, both the materials have extremely high resistivity at room temperature.

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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 1013 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.

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Sensitivity

The sensitivity of a photo detector is the relationship between the light falling on the device and theresulting output signal. In the case of a photocell, one is dealing with the relationship between theincident light and the corresponding resistance of the cell.

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Spectral Response

Like the human eye, the relative sensitivity of aphotoconductive cell is dependent on thewavelength (color) of the incident light. Eachphotoconductor material type has its own uniquespectral response curve or plot of the relativeresponse of the photocell versus wavelength of light.

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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.

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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.

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OBSERVATIONS

The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with different power ratings.Voltage of the battery = 6 V

1.) 15 watts (yellow) (wavelength = 570nm)

2.) 15 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm

Serial No

DISTANCE FROM SOURCE

(cm)

RESISTANCE(Kilo ohm)

CURRENT(micro ampere)

1. 50 142.5 40

2. 40 69 80

3. 30 41 150

4. 20 21 300

Serial No


(cm)



1. 50 51 120

2. 40 35 170

3. 30 22 270

4. 20 11 540

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3.) 40 watts (incandescent) (mean wavelength = 610nm)

4.) 20 watts (CFL) (white light)

Serial No


(cm)



1. 50 20 300

2. 40 13 460

3. 30 8.5 700

4. 20 4.5 1330

Serial No


(cm)



1. 50 15.5 380

2. 40 10 600

3. 30 6 1000

4. 20 3 2000

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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.

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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.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY

NCERT physics class XII

Art of Electronics by paul worowitz

www.wikipedia.com/

www.electronics2000.co.uk/links/education-hobby/

www.ecelab.com/

Documents

Investigatory Project On LDR