Aim and apparatus

Objective Variation in current due to LDR

Aim:- To study variation in current following in a circuit containing LDR,
because of variation:-

(a) In a power of incandescent lamp, used to illuminate the LDR. ( Keeping all
distances fixed)

(b) In distance of incandescent lamp (of fixed power),

to illuminate LDR.

Apparatus:-
1) LDR
2) Connecting wires
3) Bulbs
4) Meter scale
5) Multi Meter
6) Battery

1)LDR 2 )Connecting wire

3)Bulb 4)multimeter

5) Meter Scale

Complete circuit Diagram

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Introduction:-

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 ● A light-dependent resistor (LDR) is a component that decreases its
resistance when exposed to light ¹. The current flowing through an LDR
depends on the intensity of light it's exposed to. Here's how it works:

● - In darkness, the LDR has a very high resistance, often in the range of
megaohms (MΩ) ².
● - When light strikes the LDR, its resistance decreases, allowing more current
to flow through it ³.
● - The relationship between light intensity and resistance is nonlinear,
meaning that as light intensity increases, resistance decreases, but not in a
straight-line fashion.

● - When light strikes the LDR, its resistance decreases, allowing more current
to flow through it ³.
● - The relationship between light intensity and resistance is nonlinear,
meaning that as light intensity increases, resistance decreases, but not in a
straight-line fashion .

USE OF LDR

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 ● Automatic lighting control: LDRs can be used to automatically switch lights
on and off based on ambient light levels ..

● Ambient light sensing: LDRs can be used to measure ambient light levels in
devices such as smartphones, cameras, and display backlight control systems
.

● Optocouplers and light barriers: LDRs can be used in conjunction with

light-emitting diodes (LEDs) or other light sources to create optocouplers or
light barriers for isolation and switching purposes .

Theory

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 ● When a light is incident on LDR a photon is absorbed and thereby it excites
the electron from valence band to conduction band. Due to such new
electrons coming up in the conduction and area, the electrical resistance of
the device decreases.

● threshold wavelength =λo=hcϕ

Working of LDR

● LDR works on the principle of photoconductivity

● Photoconductivity is a phenomenon in which materials conductivity reduces
on absorbing light.
● When photons fall on the band of LDR the valence of the semiconductor
band excitedly goes into the conduction band.
● These photons have energy greater than the band gap of semiconductor
material which makes electrons jump from valence band to conduction band.
● Hence light having enough energy strikes on the device, hence more
electrons are excited to the conduction band which results in formation of a
large number of charged carriers.
● The most common principle of LDR is :-
More the current starts flowing through the device when the circuit is
closed, the resistance of the device decreases.

Experiment 1
AIM:- To study variation in current following in a circuit containing LDR,
because of variation:-

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 a) In the distance of an incandescent lamp, used to illuminate the LDR. ( Keeping
all powers fixed)

Procedure:-
1. Choose a specific position for the source and mount it using a holder, make
sure it is stable.

2. Select the bulb with the lowest power rating and connect it to the holder as
shown in the figure.

3. Connect the LDR, battery(6V) and the multimeter in series.

4. Set the multimeter to ohm section and select suitable range and measure the
resistance

5. Similarly switch to the current section and move to micro ampere in the
multimeter. This gives the
value of the current.

6. Repeat these steps with different power sources at different distances ,

Observations:-
1. The experiment has been conducted by using various sources with different
power ratings. Voltage of the battery= 6 V
2. The power variation of lamp

15 W incandescent lamp at fixed power

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 Distance from source Resistance in kilo ohm I(CURRENT)
SR No (In cm) (MICRO AMP)
50 142.5 40
1)
40 69 80
2)
30 41 150
3)
20 21 300
4)

CONCLUSION
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.

Experiment 2:-

Aim:- To study variation in current following in a circuit containing LDR,

because of variation:-
b)T he power of the incandescent lamp (Keeping all distances fixed)

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Theory:-When all distances are fixed, the power variable in an LDR (Light
Dependent Resistor) is actually the illuminance (E) measured in lux (lx).

Illuminance is the total amount of light power incident on a surface, per unit area.
When the illuminance increases, the LDR's resistance decreases, and vice versa.

The relationship between illuminance and LDR resistance is typically expressed as:

R = R0 / (1 + (E/E0)^γ)

Where:

- R is the resistance of the LDR

- R0 is the resistance at zero illuminance
- E is the illuminance
- E0 is the reference illuminance
- γ is the sensitivity exponent

By keeping all distances fixed, you can directly relate the LDR's resistance to the
illuminance, making it a useful component for light-sensing application

Materials:
- LDR (Light Dependent Resistor)
- Breadboard
- Multimeter (for measuring resistance)
- Light source (e.g., lamp or LED)
- Variable resistor (optional)
- Power supply (optional)

Procedure:
1. Set up the LDR on the breadboard.
2. Connect the multimeter to measure the LDR's resistance.
3. Place the light source at a fixed distance from the LDR.
4. Measure the initial resistance of the LDR (R0).
5. Gradually increase the illuminance (E) by moving the light source closer or
increasing its intensity.

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6. Record the corresponding resistance values (R) for each illuminance level.
7. Plot a graph of R vs. E to visualize the relationship.
8. Use a variable resistor to control the light source's intensity or add a power
supply to stabilize the voltage.

Observation:-
As the illuminance(power is determined by illuminance) increases, the LDR's
resistance will decrease, demonstrating an inverse relationship. The graph will
show a downward curve, illustrating how the LDR responds to changes in light
intensity.

CONCLUSION
Hence proved
Illuminance(power is determined by illuminance) increases, the LDR's resistance
will decrease, demonstrating an inverse relationship.

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Bibliography
● Learn physics.com
● Vayuyan.com
● Scibd.com
● Physics Galaxy Publication
● Basic physics by R. Majumdar

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