9.
9 The LDR
OCR Physics A Application
The characteristics of a light-dependent
resistor
Specification references
1.1.3 a) b) d)
1.1.4 d)
4.2.3 a) c) d)
HSW 5, HSW 6
Introduction
Light-dependent resistors (LDRs) change their resistance depending on the intensity
of the light incident on them. Light provides energy to free electrons in the
semiconducting material, causing an increase in number density and so a decrease
in the resistance. The response of a LDR is not linear; doubling the intensity of the
light does not half the resistance. In this activity you will determine the relationship
between light intensity and resistance for a typical LDR.
Learning outcomes
After completing the worksheet you should be able to:
determine the light intensity of a source using an inverse square relationship
determine the relationship between light intensity and the resistance of a
LDR by exploring a range of potential relationships graphically
find the typical percentage uncertainty in a range of different measurements, and
discuss the appropriateness of using this system to determine overall uncertainty.
Background
The intensity of the light is inversely proportional to the square of the distance from
the light source.
Luminous intensity is measured in a unit called ‘lux’ (lx) which represents the
brightness of a source as seen by the human eye. Different wavelengths are
weighted differently depending on how sensitive the eye is to that wavelength.
Therefore, an intensity measured in lux will indicate how ‘bright’ a source will appear
to a human.
Once we have measured the intensity of the source at one distance we can
determine the intensity at any distance, by comparing the ratio of the squares of the
distances.
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9.9 The LDR
OCR Physics A Application
For example, if the intensity of the source is 60 lx at a distance of 0.5 m we can find
the intensity at 1 m.
Ratio of distances – 0.5:1 or 1:2
Ratio of distances squared – 1:4
Ratio of light intensities – 1: (the light intensity is proportional to the inverse
square of the distance)
Intensity at 1.0 m = 60 × = 15 lx
Task
A student carried out an investigation into the relationship between the resistance of
a LDR and the intensity of the light falling upon it. Instead of altering the intensity by
changing the power output of the lamp (which is difficult to control) they chose to
alter the distance between the lamp and the LDR. They then used the inverse
square law to determine the change in light intensity on the surface of the LDR.
The measured light intensity of the source at a distance of 1.00 m was 20 lx.
The experiment was carried out inside a light-proof tube, as shown in Figure 1,
eliminating virtually all other sources of light.
As the range of the resistances was very large the range on the resistance meter
was changed at appropriate points.
Figure 1 Experimental set-up
1 Complete Table 1 by calculating the light intensity of the source at each of the
test distances. (2 marks)
Table 1
Distance / m Intensity / lx Resistance / Ω
0.10 229
0.15 437
0.20 693
0.25 991
0.30 1326
0.35 1697
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9.9 The LDR
OCR Physics A Application
Analysis
The exact relationship between the resistance of the LDR and the light intensity is
not immediately obvious, other than noticing that the resistance decreases as the
light intensity increases. Through further processing of the data, a more formal
relationship may be found.
Three potential relationships are proposed:
resistance is inversely proportional to light intensity
resistance is inversely proportional to the square of light intensity
the log10 of resistance is directly proportional to the log10 of the light level (log
R ∝ log I ).
2 Complete the following table. (8 marks)
log10 log10
Distance Intensity Resistance
intensity resistance
/m / lx /Ω
/ lx–1 / lx–2 / lx /Ω
0.10
0.15
0.20
0.25
0.30
0.35
3 Plot appropriate graphs to determine which of the suggested relationships is the
most likely. Pay particular attention to the scales of the graphs.
You will be awarded 4 marks for each graph.
4 Using the data the student measured and the number of significant figures,
determine the percentage uncertainty for the following variables at a distance 0.25
m.
a The distance. (1 mark)
b The resistance of the LDR. (1 mark)
5 The light meter specifications indicate that the uncertainty in any measurement
is ± 5%.
a Determine the maximum and minimum light intensity at a distance 1.00 m
from the lamp. (2 marks)
b In what way, if at all, does this uncertainty change the light intensities
calculated in your table. (1 mark)
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9.9 The LDR
OCR Physics A Application
6 Discuss and justify whether the values calculated in Question 4 are
representative of the uncertainty in the rest of the data. (2 marks)
7 Explain which factors will have the greatest effect on the conclusion made about
the relationship between light intensity and resistance. (2 marks)
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