GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
AIM
“TO STUDY THE INTERNAL RESISTANCE OF A CELL /EMF
OF A CELL.”
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.
Page 1 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
INTERNAL RESISTANCE
International resistance is defined as the resistance offered by
the electrolyte of the cell to the flow of ions.
It’s 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 Resisance (r)= [E-V]/I
EMF OF CELL MF of a Cell
The electromotive force of a cell or EMF of a cell is the
maximum potential difference between two electrodes of a cell.
It can also be defined as the net voltage between the oxidation
and reduction half-reactions. The EMF of a cell is mainly used
to determine whether an electrochemical cell is galvanic or not.
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 ()
Page 2 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
What Is an Electrochemical Cell?
An electrochemical cell is a device that generates electricity
from a chemical reaction. Essentially, it can be defined as a
device that converts chemical energy into electrical energy. A
chemical reaction that involves the exchange of electrons is
required for an electrochemical cell to operate. Such reactions
are called redox reactions.
Page 3 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
A cell is characterised by its voltage. A particular kind of cell
generates the same voltage irrespective of its size. The only
thing that depends on the cell voltage is the chemical
composition of the cell, given the cell is operated at ideal
conditions.
Normally, the cell voltage may be different from this ideal value
due to several factors like temperature difference, change in
concentration, etc. The Nernst equation formulated by Walther
Nernst can be used to calculate the EMF value of a given cell,
provided the standard cell potential of the cell.
Types of Electrochemical Cell
Galvanic Cell
The Galvanic Cell is named after Luigi Galvani, an Italian
scientist. A galvanic cell is an important electrochemical cell
that forms the base of many other electrochemical cells, like the
Daniell cell. It constitutes of two different metallic conductors
called electrodes immersed in their own ionic solutions. Each of
these arrangements is a half-cell. Alone, a half-cell is not able to
generate a potential difference, but combined, they generate a
potential difference. A salt bridge is used to combine two cells
chemically. It serves the required amount of electrons to the
Page 4 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
electron-deficient half-cell and accepts electrons from the
electron-rich half-cell.
Daniell Cell
The Daniell cell is an adaptation of the galvanic cell. It is
constituted of zinc and copper electrodes immersed in zinc
sulphate and copper sulphate solutions, respectively. Two
halfcells are connected together using a salt bridge, the zinc
electrode as an anode, and copper act as a cathode.
The zinc metal is top of the electrochemical series when
compared to the copper metal, owing to the higher value of the
oxidation potential of the metal. Hence, zinc undergoes
oxidation; consequently, two electrons and a zinc ion are
generated. This electrode acquires a negative potential due to the
release of electrons when compared to the other electrode. We
call it an anode.
However, copper undergoes reduction owing to its higher
reduction potential. The copper ion in the solution of the
copper half-cell accepts two electrons from the electrode and
becomes copper metal, and gets deposited in the electrode. As
this electrode uses up electrons, we consider this electrode as a
positive electrode, and we call it a cathode. The anode reaction
is represented as follows:
Page 5 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
Zn(s) → Zn2+ (aq) + 2e–
The cathode reaction is represented as follows:
Cu2+ (aq) +2e– → Cu(s)
The combined cell reaction or overall cell reaction is as follows:
Zn(s) + Cu2+(aq) → Zn2+ (aq) + Cu(s)
Electrode Potential
When a metal electrode is immersed in a solution containing its
own ions, a potential difference is set up across the interface.
This potential difference is called the electrode potential.
Consider the case of the zinc electrode immersed in a zinc
sulphate solution. The zinc metal gets oxidised by releasing two
electrons and is dissipated in the solution. The presence of
electrons in the electrode and ions in the solution creates a
potential difference, and in the same way, copper develops a
positive potential. The combination of these two cells is owing
to the cell potential.
In reality, we are not able to determine the potential of a single
half-cell alone. To determine the potential of a single half-cell,
we always need a standard half-cell whose potential value is
Page 6 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
already known. This standard half-cell is then connected with
the unknown half-cell to determine the overall potential.
This overall potential is the difference between the potentials of
the two half-cells. The standard hydrogen electrode (SHE) is an
example of such a standard half-cell. The potential value of SHE
is inherently set to zero volts. The standard hydrogen electrode is
connected with an unknown half-cell, and the potential
difference is measured. As SHE has zero volts, the measured
value will be the potential difference of the unknown half-cell.
The picture below represents the method to find the standard
electrode potential of zinc.
Page 7 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
Electrochemical Series
In addition, the standard potential values of different metals are
calculated and arranged in the increasing order of the potential,
and we obtain the electrochemical series.
The electrochemical series is essential for the determination of
cell potential. It also helps in selecting electrode metals for the
construction of a cell.
Page 8 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
The electrochemical series table shows the arrangement of a few
elements based on the increasing order of their reduction
potential. Lithium usually has the least reduction potential, and
fluorine has the most. Hydrogen has a zero reduction potential.
This is because all other elements are compared against
hydrogen to obtain their standard electrode potential.
Representation of an Electrochemical Cell
An electrochemical cell can be represented using special
notations. This is useful in understanding the composition as
well as its quantity in the cell.
The above-given Daniell cell can be represented as follows:
Zn | Zn2+ (1M) || Cu2+ (1M) | Cu
Let us break this down and understand its components:
● The left side of the notation represents the anode. At the
anode, Zn is converted by releasing a set of two electrons per
zinc atom. As the solution used is of 1M concentration, we
include that, too, in the representation.
Zn | Zn2+ (1M)
Page 9 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
● On the right side, we have the cathode. Here, the electrolyte
absorbs a pair of electrons from the electrode and gets converted
to Cu metal. Same as before, we are using a 1M copper sulphate
solution. Cu2+ (1M) | Cu
● These two half-cells are combined using a salt bridge. The
salt bridge is represented using the two vertical bars.
Zn | Zn2+ (1M) || Cu2+ (1M) | Cu. PRACTICAL
ANALYSIS
OBJECTIVE
To study the various factors on which the internal resistance of a
cell depends.
APPARATUS
• Potentiometer
• Battery (or battery eliminator)
• Two one-way keys
Page 1 of 17
0
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
• Rheostat
• Galvanometer
• Resistance box
• Ammeter
• Cell (Leclanche cell)
• Jockey
• 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
Page 1 of 17
1
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
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 a cell is given by:
r= [E-V]/R
Page 1 of 17
2
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
PROCEDURE
• Clean the ends of the connecting wires with sand paper and
make tight connections according to the circuit diagram.
• Tighten the plugs of the resistance box.
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 variation of internal resistance with
distance of separation
• Keep both the electrodes at a distance of 16 cm.
• Take maximum current from the battery, making rheostat
resistance small.
• Without inserting a plug-in key , adjust the rheostat so that
a null point is obtained on the last wire of the
potentiometer.
Page 13 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
• Determine the position of the null point accurately using a
set square and measure the balancing length (1) between
the null point and the end P.
• Next introduce plugs in both keys and . At the same time,
take out a small resistance (1-5 W) from the shunt
resistance box connected in parallel with the cell.
• Slide the jockey along a potentiometer wire and obtain the
null point.
• Measure the balancing length ( L) from end P. Record these
Now keep the electrodes 12 cm apart.
• Then remove the plugs of keys K, and K2. Wait for some
time and repeat steps 7 to 10.
• Next, keep the electrodes 9 cm apart to obtain another set
of observations.
Page 14 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
To study variation of internal resistance with area of
electrodes
• 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.
• Obtain three such observations by repeating steps 7 to 10.
Record your readings.
To study variation of internal resistance with
concentration of electrolyte
• Keeping all other factors constant, decrease the
concentration of electrolyte by adding distilled water for
different observations.
• Obtain three such observations by repeating step 7 to 10.
Record your readings.
Page 15 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
To study variation of international resistance with
Temperature
• Keeping all other factors constant, increase the temperature
of electrolyte
• Obtain three such observations by repeating step 7 to 10.
Record your readings
OBSERVATION
Page 16 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
Page 17 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
RESULTS AND REFERENCES
• 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
PRECAUTIONS
• The connections should be neat, clean and tight.
Page 18 of 17
GEETA RAJPUT 25/10/2023
• The plugs should be introduced in the keys only when the
observations are to be taken.
• The positive polls of the battery E and cells E, 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.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
• wikipedia.com
• Google search engine
• Physics NCERT book for class XII
Page 19 of 17
