Physics InVestigatory ProjecT

FACTORS AFFECTING INTERNAL

RESISTANCE/EMF OF A CELL
Name: - Jeet Sanjay Tank
Class: - 12th Science
School: - Savvy International School

_________________ _________________
Incharge’s Sign Student’s Sign
 FACTORS AFFECTING INTERNAL
RESISTANCE/EMF OF A CELL

A PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

-By Jeet Sanjay Tank

The purpose of this project is to find and collect data of the

factors affecting the resistance/EMF of a cell.
 CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Jeet Sanjay Tank, a student of class 12 th
has successfully completed the research project on the topic
“Factors Affecting Internal Resistance/EMF of a cell” under
the guidance of physics teacher Lavish sir. This project is
absolutely genuine and does not indulge in plagiarism of any
kind. The reference taken in making this project have been
declared at the end of the report.

_________________ _________________
Internal Examiner External Examiner
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I Jeet Sanjay Tank of class 12th (science) of Savvy
International School performed this investigatory project
under the guidance of my physics teacher Lavish sir.

I am very thankful to my teacher and parents who helped me

in my investigatory project. Without whose motivation and
help the successful completion of this project would not have
been possible.
INTRODUCTION TO ELECTROCHEMICAL CELLS
An electrochemical cell is a device by which electric energy is generated at the
cost of chemical energy due to chemical action taking place in the cell. They
are of two types:
1. Primary Cells: -
It is the cell in which electrical energy is produced due to chemical
energy. The chemical reaction in the cell is irreversible. E.g., Daniel cell,

2. Secondary Cells: - It is that cell in which the electrical energy is first

stored up as chemical energy and when the outside circuit is closed to
draw the current from the cell the stored chemical energy is reconverted
into electrical energy. The chemical reactions in this case are reversible.
E.g., lead acid accumulator, Edison cell.

ELECTROMOTIVE FORCE
Electromotive force, also called emf (denoted and measured in volt), is the
voltage developed by any source of electrical energy such as a battery or
dynamo. It is generally defined as the electrical potential for a source in a
circuit.

OBJECTIVE
To study the various factors on which the internal resistance/emf of a cell
depends.

APPARATUS
A Potentiometer, a battery (battery eliminator), two-way keys, a rheostat of
low resistance, a galvanometer, a high resistance, an ammeter, a cell, a Jockey,
a set square, connecting wires, water bath, thermometer(0-100°C), burner,
tripod stand, wire gauge.
CIRCUIT DIAGRAM

THEORY
The internal resistance of a cell is the resistance offered by its electrolyte to
the low of ions. The internal resistance of a cell I. Is directly proportional to the
distance between the electrodes. ii. Is inversely proportional to facing surface
area of the electrodes in electrolyte. iii. Decrease with increase in temperature
of electrolyte. iv. Is inversely proportional to concentration of electrolyte. The
internal resistance of a cell is given by: -
(l ¿ ¿ 1−l 2 )
r= l1
∗R ¿
Where L1, L2 are the balancing lengths without resistance and with resistance
(shunt), respectively and R is the shunt resistance in parallel with the given cell.

PROCEDURE
Step 1

1. Draw the circuit diagram showing the scheme of connections

2. Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and make tight
connections according to the circuit diagrams.
3. Tight the plugs of the resistance box.
4. Check the e.m.f. of the battery and cell and see that e.m.f. and see that
e.m.f. of the battery is more than that of given cell, otherwise null or
balance point will not be obtained (E' >E).
5. Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat resistance
small
6. To test the corrections of the connections. (Insert the plug in the key K1
and note the ammeter reading. Take out 2000-ohm resistance plug from
resistance box. Place the jokey first at the end P of the wire and then at
the end Q. If the galvanometer shows deflection in opposite direction in
the two cases the connections are correct).
7. Without inserting the plug in the key K2 adjust the rheostat so that a null
point is obtained on the 4th wire of potentiometer
8. Insert the 2000 ohm plug back in the position in resistance box and by
slightly adjusting the jockey near the previous obtained position of null
point, obtain null point position accurately, using a set square.
9. Measure the balancing length l 1 between the point and the end P of the
wire
10.Take out the 2000 ohm plug again from the resistance box R.B.
introduce plugs in the key K1, as well as in key K2. Take out small
resistance (1-5 Ω) from the resistance box R connected in parallel with
the cell.
11.Slide the jockey along the potentiometer wire and obtain null point.
 12.Insert 2000 ohms plug back in its position in R.B. and if necessary, make
further adjustment for sharp null point.
13.Measure the balancing length l 2 from end P
14.Remove the plug keys at K1 and K2. Wait for some time and for the
same value of current (as shown by ammeter) repeat the steps 7 to 13.
15.Repeat the observations for different values of R repeating each
observation twice.
16.Calculate the internal resistance of cell by using the above relation for r.
Step 2

To see the effect of distance between the electrodes on internal resistances

keeping the other factors constant, vary separation between electrodes and
measure 9 internal resistance in each case.
Step 3

To see the effect of the temperature of electrolyte on internal resistance by

keeping other factors constant. Keep primary cells in water bath to heat the
electrolyte. Determine the internal resistance at various temperatures.
Step 4

To see the effect of concentration (nature) of electrolyte on internal

resistance by: -
1. Keeping the other factors constant
2. Decrease concentration of electrolyte by adding the distilled water and
determine internal resistance of cell in each case.

OBSERVATIONS
(A)Internal resistance of cell
1. Table for internal resistance: -
S. No Ammeter Reading Pos. of null point (cm) Shunt (l ¿ ¿ 1−l 2 )
r= l1
∗R ¿
(A) Resistance
R (Ω) (Ω)
With R1 Without R1
 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

(B) To study the effect of separation between the electrodes

2. Table for effect of separation between electrodes: -
S. No Separation between Balancing Balancing r= r/d
Electrodes-d length length (l ¿ ¿ 1−l 2 )
∗R ¿
(cm) (cm) (l1) (cm) (l2) l1
(Ω)

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

(C) Effect of temperature of electrolyte on the internal resistance

3. Table for effect of temperature: -
S. No Temperature l1 l2 r= Tr
(T) (Celsius) (cm) (cm) (l ¿ ¿ 1−l 2 ) (ΩK)
∗R ¿
l1
(Ω)

1. 40 325 12 0.96 301.44

2. 32 552 23.6 0.95 291.96

3. 27 660.5 35.5 0.94 283.87

CONCLUSIONS
 1. The Electromotive Force of the cell is constant and is equal to E = 0.98
Volt.
2. The internal resistance of a cell is directly proportional to the separation
between the electrodes
3. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the area of
the electrodes dipped in electrolyte.
4. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
temperature of electrolytes.
5. The internal resistance of a cell is inversely proportional to the
concentration of the electrolyte.

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
6. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than the e.m.f.'s of the either of
the two cells
7. Some high resistance plug should always be taken out from resistance box
before the jockey is moved along the wire.
8. The e.m.f. of the battery should be greater than that of the cell.
9. For one set of observation the ammeter reading should remain constant.
10. Current should be passed for short time only, while finding the null point

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

BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Physics NCERT class XII.
2. en.wikipedia.org.
3. Concepts of Physics class XII.