CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that “Physics Investigatory Project” on the topic “Various factors on
which internal resistance of cell depends” has been successfully completed by ABHINAV
SHARMA of Class – xii Science under the guidance of Mrs. Supriya Rani
Mishra
Sir in particular fulfilment of the curriculum of CBSE leading to the award of annual
examination of the year 2024-2025

Mrs. Supriya Rani Mishra Abhinav Sharma

(signature) (signature)

Page | 1
 Acknowledgement

I would like to express my sincere thanks to our physics guide Mrs. Supriya
Mishra for her guidance and support in completing my project.
I would like to extend my gratitude to our principal for providing us with all
the facilities that were required.
I would also like to thanks my parents and friends who helped me with the
necessary suggestions and ideas for completing this project.

Page | 2
S.no Contents
1. Introduction
2. Aim
3. Apparatus
4. Theory
5. Circuit Diagram
6. Procedure
7. Result
8. Precautions
9. Sources of error
10. Conclusion
11 Bibliography

Page | 3
There is a great need of battery in our daily use electronic appliances
and the use is increasing every day. Thus, the battery 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 factor
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.

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.
INTERNAL RESISTANCE R = E - V
I

Page | 4
AIM
To study the various factors on which the internal resistance of a
cell depends.

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

the internal resistance if the 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.
 decreases with increase in temperature of electrolyte.
 is inversely proportional to concentration of electrolyte.

The internal resistance of cell is given by:

r = (E – V)/I

Page | 5
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

Page | 6
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 the e.m.f. of battery is more than that of cell,
otherwise null or balanced point will not be obtained.
To study variation of internal resistance with distance of
separation
4. Keep both the electrodes at a distance of 16cm.
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 W) from the shunt
resistance box connected in parallel with the cell.
9. Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain
the null point.
10. Measure the balancing length (L2) from end P. record
this observations.
11. Now keep the electrodes 20cm apart.
12. Then remove the plugs of key K1 and K2. Wait for
some time and repeat step 7 to 10.

Page | 7
 13. Next, keep the electrodes 9cm apart to obtain another
set of observations.
To study variation of internal resistance with area of
electrodes
14. Keeping all factors constant, increase the area of
electrodes in the electrolyte by dipping them into the
electrolyte at different depths for each observations.
15. Obtain three such observations by repeating steps 7 to
10. Record your readings.
To study variation of internal resistance with
concentration of electrolyte
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.

Page | 8
Observations

Ammeter Position of null point (cm) Shunt Internal

S.NO Readings resistance resistance
With R Without R R(Ω) r(Ω)
(A)
(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 separation between electrodes

Separation Balancing Balancing Internal r/d

between point point resistance
S.NO
electrodes L1(cm) L2(cm) r(Ω)
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

Page | 10
 Table for effect of temperature

Temperature L1 (cm) L2 (cm) Resistance Internal Tr (ΩK)

S.NO T (°C) R(Ω) resistance
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

Page | 11
Result
 The electromotive force of cell is constant and is equal to E =
0.98 Volt.
 The internal resistance of the cell is directly proportional to the
separation between the electrodes.
 The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
area of electrodes dipped in electrolyte.
 The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
temperature of electrolyte.
 The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
concentration of the electrolyte.

Page | 12
Precautions
 The connection should be neat, clean and tight.
 The plug should be introduced in the keys only when the
observations are to be taken.
 The positive poles of the battery E and cells E1 and E2 should all
be connected to the terminal at the zero of the wires.
 The jockey key should not be rubbed along the wire. It should
touch the wire gently.
 The ammeter reading should remain constant for a particular
set of observation. If necessary, adjust the rheostat for this
purpose.

Sources of error
 The auxiliary battery may not be fully charged.
 The potentiometer wire may not be of uniform cross-section
and material density throughout its length.
 End resistance may not be zero.

Page | 13
CONCLUSION

Page | 14
BIBLIOGRAPHY
 www.google.com
 www.documents.mx
 www.wikipedia.org
 www.docfoc.com
 www.slideshare.net

Page | 15