Physics Coursework: Sensors, Photodiodes and Graphs

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The discussion centers around a physics coursework project involving a photodiode sensor and its sensitivity to varying light levels. The user plans to measure the resistance of the photodiode at different distances from a light source and is unsure about the validity of their approach and how to plot the resulting data. Suggestions include plotting resistance against distance on a log-log graph to better visualize the expected inverse square relationship of light intensity. The conversation also touches on practical applications of photodiodes and the challenges of conducting experiments in a typical room due to light reflections. Overall, the insights provided aim to help refine the experimental setup and data analysis for the coursework.
  • #31
damn, well, let's cut the problem down, a hellovalot
in regards to the working-out equations, i managed to work out them for the 1st four fixed resistance values. but that last two, which i shall attach again seemed not to work, but i believe i justifed these well:

"This sensor was the one I took man more values for, it seemed, while I was setting the sensors up, to be the most sensitive, though having done the result analysis and gathering, I see I was incorrect, but I think that taking all those results would give a more accurate graph – you can see, however how many anomalies there are, this, shall be due to either unsystematic errors, systematic errors, or the fact, again the fluctuations are caused by the sensitivity of this particular sensor. The sensitivity of this sensor was 25.1Vcm-1, which is good, but the great thing about this sensor is that it worked effectively over a comparatively long range, even after I stopped the voltage had not reached 4.5V (the maximum battery output).
"The formula tells us that, V = 25.1(LOG D) 0.05 – 24.04, this is actually quite incorrect, as you can see. It seems that the idea behind the relationship may only function correctly for those sensors with a relatively low fixed resistance. Though, if a decent relationship was found between the two values, then this sensor would be very effective, and efficient."
This set of results, and indeed all the results and tables are prime example of information displaying an “Empirical Relationship” they describe certain occurrences based on experimental observations, which are not fully understood yet. However, as you can see, these graphs and results can show us the relationship between voltage and distance from the point source quite effectively, though lacking is the understanding of regression techniques ."
is that ok, so i don't have to go into details about rectifying the formula with the polynomial regression techniques. i think i understand wat I'm talking about, so that's useful...
also, that foumula relating light inensity and voltage output together, where'd ou get it from?!
i used a 12V light buld 24W, and fixed resistances at 1kOHM 2,2, 22, 47, 100 and 470 - i think i WAY over-did it on the whole result taking thing, hence my finalk write up being 18 pages...
 

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  • #32
i have sorted my problem! which i good! Thanks very much for your help in this piece, is have referenced this thread in my acknowledgments

Padfrd
 
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  • #33
Excellent! (Msg #30 was meant to provide an alternative in case you were having major problems. However, if you indeed wrote 18 pages, then you obviously have lots of good results to talk about and have done a great job!)

The logarithmic relationship between Photodiode output Voltage and incident Light Intensity can be found here:
http://www.centrovision.com/tech2.htm
----------> Scroll all the way down the page to Section called "Photovoltaic Operation - Rl>>Rd, load line (a)"


~~
 
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