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Experiment 10 (B) Inverse Square Law

This experiment aims to verify the inverse square law using a photovoltaic cell. A photovoltaic cell generates a voltage when exposed to radiant energy such as light. According to the inverse square law, the illuminance E at a point distant d from a light source with luminous intensity l is equal to 1/d^2. The experiment measures the deflection Θ of a galvanometer connected to a photovoltaic cell as the cell is moved farther from a light source in small increments. The relationship found is that Θ is directly proportional to 1/d^2, verifying the inverse square law.

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Anshul Srivastava
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2K views

Experiment 10 (B) Inverse Square Law

This experiment aims to verify the inverse square law using a photovoltaic cell. A photovoltaic cell generates a voltage when exposed to radiant energy such as light. According to the inverse square law, the illuminance E at a point distant d from a light source with luminous intensity l is equal to 1/d^2. The experiment measures the deflection Θ of a galvanometer connected to a photovoltaic cell as the cell is moved farther from a light source in small increments. The relationship found is that Θ is directly proportional to 1/d^2, verifying the inverse square law.

Uploaded by

Anshul Srivastava
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Experiment 10(b)

Inverse Square Law


Object: To study the photovoltaic cell and hence verify the inverse square law.

Apparatus required: Photocell, micro ammeter, uprights, lamp and wooden base, meter scale.

Formula used: If “l” be the luminous intensity of an electric lamp and E the illummance at a
point distant “d” from it, then according to the inverse square law

E = 1/d2

ϴ d2 = constant

Where ϴ is the deflection

Theory:

A Photovoltaic cell is a semiconductor which is able to convert radiant energy into voltage. In
the forms, these devices were known as barrier layer cells but now these are called solar cells as
they are generally used to convert solar energy into electrical energy.

The basic principle of these cells is that when a radiant energy is incident on semiconductor,
produces electron-hole pairs and if the radiant energy exceeds the band gap of the
semiconductor, the recombination of electron hole pair cannot take place as in this case the
electron is promoted to conduction band. If the external circuit is completed with the
semiconductor, the current starts flowing because of electron hole creation by the radiant energy.
The voltage generated depends directly on the band gap of the semiconductor.

If “l” be the luminous intensity of an electric lamp and E the illummance at a point distant “d”
from it, then according to the inverse square law

E = 1/d2

If light from the lamp be incident on the photovoltaic cell placed at a distance d from it and if ϴ
be the corresponding deflection shown by the galvanometer hen

ϴαl

ϴ α 1/d2

ϴ d2 = constant

Procedure:

1. The experiment can be performed in the laboratory but it is always good to perform it in a
dark room where stray lights falling on the photo-voltaic cell can be avoided. In the dark

1
room mount the various parts of the apparatus on a bench provided with a meter scale.
Make the other connections as shown in figure-A.

2. Connect photocell leads directly to micro ammeter.

3. Put the photocell fitted on an upright and fix its position on ½ meter wooden base. Also
put an incandescent lamp on an upright and adjust its position so that it is at the same
level as the photocell.

4. Switch on the lamp and bring it near the photocell in very small steps and note down the
position of the lamp and the corresponding deflections in the micro ammeter.

5. Now increase the distance d between the photocell and the lamp in very small steps and
go on nothing the corresponding deflections in the meter.

6. Tabulate the various readings and plot a curve between deflection ϴ and 1/d2.

Observation: L.C of microammeter :

S. Position of Photocell Deflection 104/d2


No. from lamp d (cm) ϴ (µA)
1
2
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
15

Graph: Plot a graph between 1/d2 and ϴ taking 1/d2 along X-axis and ϴ along Y-axis. The curve
will be a straight line.

Result: Hence verified the inverse square law

Precautions and Sources of Error:

1. Experiment should be performed in dark room.

2. Distance between lamp and photocell should be measured correctly.

3. Light should fall on normally on the photocell


4. The photocell should not be exposed to light for a long time continuously.
5. A Cover should be placed on the photocell to protect it.

2
Viva-Voice:
Q.1: What is photoelectric effect?

Q.2: What is the photo cell?

Q.3: Does the photo electric current depend on frequency of light and intensity of light?
How?

Q.4: Define the illuminating power, Intensity of illumination?

Q.5: Explain the construction of photo cell?

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