Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan

Physics Project
Topic: Study of various factors on which the b
internal resistance/EMF of a cell b b
depends.
Submitted to: Mr. Bhasker
Submitted by: Aniket Raj [class- 12th]

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 Certificate
This is to certify that Master Aniket Raj, a student
of class 12th(science) has successfully completed his
project work under the guidance of subject teacher
Mr. Bhasker during the year 2024-2025 from
Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Nabinagar in partial
fulfillment of physics practicle examination conducted
by CBSE.

______________________________ 11111111111111111111_________________________________
Teacher In-charge External Examiner

____
Principal School Rubber Stamp00

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 Acknowledgement
The success and final outcome of this project required a
lot of guidance and assistance from many people and I am
extremely fortunate to have got this all along the
completion of my project work. Whatever I have done is
only due to such guidance and assistance and I would not
forget to thank them.
I respect and thank Mr. Bhasker, for giving me an
opportunity to do this project work and providing us all
support and guidance which made me complete the project
on time.
Last but not the least I would like to thank all my friends
who supported me all the way and my parents who helped
me financially and encouraged me throughout in the
completion of project.

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 INDEX
S no. Topics

1. Introduction
⬪ Internal Resistance

2. Practical Analysis
⬪ Objective
⬪ Apparatus
⬪ Theory
⬪ Circuit Diagram
⬪ Procedure
⬪ Result & Inferences
⬪ Precautions
⬪ Sources of error

3. Flowchart Conclusion

4. Bibliography

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 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 reliable.

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INTERNAL RESISTANCE
Internal resistance is defined as the resistance offered by the
electrolyte of the cell to the flow of ions.

⬪ Its S.I. unit is Ohm (Ω)

For a cell of e.m.f. (E) and internal resistance (r), connected to an

external resistance (R) such that (I) is the current flowing through
the circuit,

E = V + Ir
Internal Resistance r = E–V
O I

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

APPARATUS
A potentiometer, a battery (or battery eliminator), two one
way keys, a rheostat, a galvanometer, a resistance box, an
ammeter, a cell (Leclanche cell), a jockey, a setsquare,
connecting wires and sand paper.

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.
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 • decreases with increase in temperature of electrolyte.
• is inversely proportional to concentration of
electrolyte.
The internal resistance of a cell is given by:

r = (E-V)/I

CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

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PROCEDURE
1. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with
sand paper and make tight connections
according to the circuit diagram.
2. Tighten the plugs of the resistance box.
3. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and of the cell and
make sure that e.m.f. of the battery is more than
that of the cell, otherwise null or balance point
will not be obtained.
To study varia on of internal resistance with distance of
separa on

4. Keep both the electrodes at a distance of 16 cm.

5. Take maximum current from the battery, making
rheostat resistance small.
6. Without inserting a plug in key K2, adjust the
rheostat so that a null point is obtained on the
last wire of the potentiometer.
7. Determine the position of the null point
accurately using a set square and measure the
balancing length (l1) between the null point and
the end P.
8. Next introduce plugs in both keys K1 and K2. At
the same time, take out a small resistance (1 – 5

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 W) from the shunt resistance box connected in
parallel with the cell.
9. Slide the jockey along a potentiometer wire and
obtain the null point.
10. Measure the balancing length (l2) from end P.
Record these observations.
11. Now keep the electrodes 12 cm apart.
12. Then remove the plugs of keys K1 and K2. Wait
for some time and repeat steps 7 to 10.
13. Next, keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain
another set of observations.
To study varia on of internal resistance with area of
electrodes

14. Keeping all other factors constant, increase

the area of electrodes in the electrolyte by
dipping them into the electrolyte at different
depths for each observation.
15. Obtain three such observations by
repeating steps 7 to 10. Record your
readings.
To study varia on of internal resistance with concentra on
of electrolyte

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 16. Keeping all other factors constant, decrease the
concentration of electrolyte by adding distilled
water for different observations.
17. Obtain three such observations by repeating step
7 to 10. Record your readings.

OBSERVATIONS

S.no. Ammeter Position of null point(cm) Shunt Internal

Reading Resistance Resistance
(A) With R Without R R(Ω) r(Ω)
(l1) (l2)
1. 0.3 660.5 35.5 1 0.94
2. 0.3 660.5 77.2 2 1.77
3. 0.3 660.5 108.3 3 2.51

Table for effect of separa on between electrodes

S.no. Separation Balancing Balancing Internal r/d
between point point Resistance
electrodes d l1(cm) l2(cm) r(Ω)
(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

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S.no. Temperature l1(cm) l2(cm) Resistance Internal Tr
T (oC) R(Ω) Resistance (ΩK)
r(Ω)

1. 1.2 326.6 276.9 0.456 0.38 301.44

2. 2.5 320.7 219.1 0.95 0.38 291.96
3. 3.7 660.5 350.9 1.406 0.38 283.87

RESULT & INFERENCES

• The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is

equal to E = 0.98 Volt.
• The internal resistance of a cell is directly
proportional to the separation between the
electrodes.
• The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the area of the electrodes dipped in
electrolyte.
• The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the temperature of electrolytes. 
The internal resistance of a cell is inversely
proportional to the concentration of the electrolyte.

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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 be 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.

SOURCES OF ERROR
1. The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.
2. The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform
crosssection and material density throughout its
length. 3. End resistances may not be zero.

FLOWCHART
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 CONCLUSION
Factors Affec ng Internal Resistance of a Cell

Area of Conc. of
Electrodes Electrolyte
Inversely Inversely
Propor onal Propor onal

Distance Temperature
between of
Electrodes Electrolytes
Directly Inversely
Propor onal Propor onal

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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• www.google.com
• www.documents.mx
• www.wikipedia.org
 www.docfoc.com
• www.slideshare.net

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