PHYSICS PROJECT WORK 2024-25
TOPIC: To study the variations in current flowing in a circuit containing an
LDR because of variation in lamp power and distance
Name: ________________________
Class: XII
Roll No: ______
Table of Contents
Sl. No. Topic Page No.
1 Introduction
2 Aim & Research Questions
3 Apparatus / Materials
Required
4 Theory & Principle
5 Circuit Diagram
6 Procedure — Part (a)
7 Observation Table — Part
(a)
8 Graph — Part (a)
9 Procedure — Part (b)
10 Observation Table — Part
(b)
11 Graph — Part (b)
12 Calculations
13 Results
14 Precautions & Sources of
Error
15 Applications
16 Viva-Voce
17 Conclusion
18 Bibliography
Introduction
Light Dependent Resistors (LDRs) are semiconductor devices whose resistance decreases
as the incident light intensity increases. This project investigates how the current in a
circuit containing an LDR changes when varying the power of the lamp illuminating it (fixed
distance) and when varying the distance between the lamp and the LDR (fixed power).
Aim & Research Questions
Aim: To study the variation in current through a circuit containing an LDR under changes in
lamp power and lamp-LDR distance.
Research Questions:
1. How does the current depend on lamp power at a fixed distance?
2. How does the current change with distance for a fixed lamp power?
Apparatus / Materials Required
• LDR
• DC power supply (6 V)
• Fixed series resistor (220 Ω)
• Ammeter & Voltmeter
• Switch
• Incandescent lamps of various powers
• Measuring tape or meter scale
• Light shield (optional)
• Connecting wires, stands, clamps
Theory & Principle
The resistance of an LDR decreases as the light intensity increases. In a series circuit, Ohm’s
Law (I = V / R_total) shows that as R_LDR decreases, current increases. For a point source,
light intensity decreases approximately as 1/d², explaining why increasing distance reduces
current.
Circuit Diagram
Figure: Circuit for studying current variation in an LDR under illumination.
Procedure — Part (a): Vary Lamp Power
Assemble the circuit as shown above.
Keep lamp at a fixed distance (20 cm) from LDR.
Record current for different lamp powers (15 W, 25 W, 40 W, 60 W).
Minimize ambient light; switch off between readings.
Repeat each reading twice and calculate mean.
Observation Table — Part (a)
Lamp Distance d Ammeter Ammeter Mean I V_LDR Computed
Power P (cm) I1 (mA) I2 (mA) (mA) (mV) R_LDR
(W) (ohm)
15.0 20.0 0.75 0.72 0.74 5.91 8.0
25.0 20.0 1.15 1.16 1.15 5.77 5.0
40.0 20.0 1.83 1.86 1.85 5.55 3.0
60.0 20.0 2.7 2.61 2.66 5.31 2.0
Graph — Part (a)
Procedure — Part (b): Vary Distance
Use fixed lamp power (40 W).
Place lamp and LDR at distances: 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35 cm.
Keep alignment constant and minimize ambient light.
Record current twice at each distance and take mean.
Observation Table — Part (b)
Distance d (cm) Ammeter I1 Ammeter I2 Mean I (mA) 1/d^2 (cm^-2)
(mA) (mA)
10.0 5.02 4.98 5.0 0.01
15.0 2.93 2.96 2.95 0.00444
20.0 1.88 1.85 1.87 0.0025
25.0 1.27 1.23 1.25 0.0016
30.0 0.9 0.9 0.9 0.00111
35.0 0.69 0.67 0.68 0.00082
Graph — Part (b)
Results
Part (a): Current increases with lamp power at fixed distance.
Part (b): Current decreases with distance for fixed lamp power, matching inverse-square
trend.
Conclusion
The experiment confirms LDR resistance decreases with increasing light intensity, causing
higher current.
Bibliography
1. School Physics Project Work Instructions 2024-25
2. List of Physics Investigatory Projects, Topic #2
3. NCERT Physics Textbook, Class XII
