Investigatory Project: Study of Variations in Current Flowing
Through an LDR Circuit
1. Title:
To Study the Variations in Current Flowing in a Circuit Containing
an LDR Due to Variations in:
(a) The Power of the Incandescent Lamp Used to Illuminate the
LDR (Keeping All the Lamps at a Fixed Distance)
(b) The Distance of an Incandescent Lamp (of Fixed Power) Used
to Illuminate the LDR
2. Introduction:
An LDR (Light Dependent Resistor) is a resistor whose resistance
decreases as the intensity of light falling on it increases. This
project aims to study the variations in the current flowing through
a circuit containing an LDR when subjected to different light
intensities. We will vary two factors:
(a) Power of the incandescent lamp used to illuminate the LDR
while keeping the distance fixed.
(b) The distance of the incandescent lamp (of fixed power) from
the LDR.
3. Objective:
To investigate how the current flowing through an LDR-based
circuit changes with varying power of the incandescent lamp,
keeping the distance constant.
To investigate how the current changes with varying distance of
the incandescent lamp, keeping the power constant.
4. Apparatus:
Light Dependent Resistor (LDR)
Incandescent Lamp
Power Supply (for the circuit)
Multimeter (to measure current)
Ruler (for measuring distance)
Variable Resistor (to control the current)
Connecting Wires
Switch
5. Theory:
The behavior of an LDR can be described using the relationship
between light intensity and its resistance:
Resistance of an LDR (R) decreases as the light intensity
increases.
Current (I) increases as the resistance of the LDR decreases,
assuming a constant voltage is applied.
Two scenarios are considered:
Power Variation: The intensity of light emitted by the
incandescent lamp is directly related to the power supplied to the
lamp. As the power increases, light intensity increases, causing
the LDR’s resistance to decrease and the current to increase.
Distance Variation: According to the inverse square law, the
intensity of light decreases as the distance from the light source
increases. As the distance increases, the resistance of the LDR
increases, leading to a decrease in current.
6. Methodology:
Part 1: Study of Variation with Power of Lamp
Set up the circuit: Connect the LDR, incandescent lamp, power
supply, and multimeter as shown in the diagram.
Fix the distance between the lamp and the LDR (e.g., 20 cm).
Adjust the power supplied to the lamp, measuring the current at
different power levels (low, medium, high).
Record the current values using the multimeter.
Plot a graph of current vs. power to observe the trend.
Part 2: Study of Variation with Distance of Lamp
Fix the power of the incandescent lamp to a constant value.
Change the distance between the LDR and the lamp (e.g., 10 cm,
20 cm, 30 cm).
Record the current at each distance.
Plot a graph of current vs. distance.
7. Diagram/Setup:
Figure 1: Circuit Diagram for Part 1 (Power Variation)
(Include a simple diagram showing the LDR in series with a power
supply, multimeter for current measurement, and an
incandescent lamp at a fixed distance.)
Figure 2: Circuit Diagram for Part 2 (Distance Variation)
(Include a similar circuit diagram but show the varying distance
between the lamp and the LDR.)
8. Results and Discussion:
For Power Variation:
As the power of the lamp increases, the intensity of light falling on
the LDR increases.
This causes a decrease in the LDR’s resistance, which in turn
increases the current flowing through the circuit.
A graph of current vs. power would show a positive correlation.
For Distance Variation:
As the distance between the lamp and LDR increases, the
intensity of light decreases due to the inverse square law.
This increases the resistance of the LDR, which results in a
decrease in the current.
A graph of current vs. distance would show a negative correlation.
(Insert graphs here based on your observations.)
9. Conclusion:
Current vs Power: The current increases with an increase in the
power of the incandescent lamp. This is because higher power
results in higher light intensity, which reduces the LDR’s
resistance.
Current vs Distance: The current decreases as the distance
between the lamp and the LDR increases. This happens because
the light intensity decreases with distance, increasing the LDR’s
resistance.
10. Sources of Error:
Inaccurate readings due to the resolution of the multimeter.
Ambient light affecting the LDR.
Non-uniformity in light emission from the incandescent lamp.
11. Further Scope of Study:
Investigating the effect of different types of light sources (LED,
fluorescent) on LDR.
Exploring the impact of environmental factors (like temperature)
on the behavior of LDRs.
