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FL of Lens and Mirrors PDF
FL of Lens and Mirrors PDF
Experiment-406
Email: labexperiments@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Using an optical bench and an illuminated object, focal length of a concave
mirror is determined by the approximate, u-v, and graphical methods.
Introduction
Determination of focal lengths of mirrors and lenses is one of the most fundamental
experiments in Physics. The old method of using a needle or a pointer as the object is
somewhat cumbersome for young students to perform these experiments. Hence an
illuminated object whose image can be formed using lenses and mirrors on a screen are used
in this experiment. With these modifications, it is much easier to perform optics experiments.
The graduated scale and position marked lenses and mirrors enable fast and easy
measurement of distances. Hence focal length can be determined accurately.
Figure-1: Optical bench with molded lenses, mirrors, illuminated object and image
screen
Theory
A concave mirror forms image on the same side as the position of the object, hence its focal
length f is positive. Figure-2 shows an illuminated object on the left end of the optical
bench and mirror is placed on the right end. An image is formed by the side of the
illuminated object screen. By adjusting the position of the mirror, one can get a clear image
of the object. From the scale marked on the optical bench, the object distance (u) and the
LE, Vol-13, No-3, Sept.-2013
image distance (v) can be measured and focal length f of the concave mirror can be
determined using the formula
f =
Experimental procedure
The experiment consists of three parts, viz.
Part-I: Determination of focal length of concave mirror by the approximation method
Part-II: Determination of focal length of concave mirror by the u-v method
Part-III: Determination of focal length of concave mirror by the graphical method
f = =
concave mirror
and concave mirror
f =
(cm)
(u) cm
(v) cm
1
30
24.1
13.3
2
33
23
13.5
3
36
21.7
13.5
4
39
20.4
13.4
5
42
19.8
13.4
6
45
19
13.3
7
48
18.7
13.4
Average value of focal length (cm)
13.35
Rewriting it as
y = , x = - , c =
The Y-intercept c can be determined from the graph, hence the focal length f of the concave
mirror.
7. Table-1 is reformulated as Table-2.
8. A graph is drawn taking (1/u) along Y-axis and (1/v) along X-axis, as shown in
Figure-6. The straight line is extrapolated to meet the Y-axis and the value of (1/v) at
the point of intersection gives the Y-intercept, c, the inverse of which gives the focal
length of the mirror.
From the graph
LE, Vol-13, No-3, Sept.-2013
f =
Table-2: Object distance (u), image distance (v), and values of 1/u and 1/v for the
concave mirror
Trial u (cm)
(1/u)x10-2
v (cm)
(1/v) x10 -2
1
26
3.84
26
3.84
2
30
3.33
24.1
4.14
3
33
3.03
23
4.34
4
36
2.78
21.7
4.60
5
39
2.56
20.4
4.90
6
42
2.38
19.8
5.05
7
45
2.22
19
5.26
8
48
2.08
18.7
5.34
(1/u) x10-2
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-4
-3
-2
-1
(1/v) x10-2
Focal length of
concave mirror
Approximate
method
u-v method
Graphical method
13.3cm
13.35cm
13.69cm
Reference
[1]
Experiment-407
Email: labexperiments@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Using an optical bench and an illuminated object, focal length of a convex lens is
determined by the approximate, u-v, and graphical methods.
Theory
Determination of focal length of a convex lens is one of the simplest lab experiments. We
have taken two convex lenses with different focal lengths for this experiment. The image
produced by a convex lens is real and the focal length of the lens is positive and is given by
f =
Figure-1 shows an illuminated object placed on the left hand side of the optical bench. A
convex lens is placed facing the object and the image screen is placed on the other side of the
lens. An inverted real image of the object is formed as shown in Figure-1. The distance
between the object and the lens is the object distance, u, and the distance between the image
screen and the lens is the image distance, v.
Apparatus used
Optical bench with up-rights, of KamalJeeth make, consisting of: convex lens, image screen
and source of light. The apparatus used is shown in Figure-1, experiment 406.
Experimental procedure
The experiment consists of three parts:
Part-I: Determination of focal length by the approximate method
Part-II: Determination of focal length by the u-v method
Part-III: Determination of focal length by the graphical method
Figure-2: Image of a distant object formed by a convex lens as seen on the image screen
3. The distance between the screen and the lens is measured using a vernier calipers or a
measuring scale which gives the approximate focal length of the lens.
Focal length of convex lens-1: f = 9.25cm
Focal length of convex lens-2: f =13.3cm
illuminated
illuminated
Convex
f = (cm)
object and
object and
lens and
convex lens
image screen
image
(u) cm
(A) cm
screen
(v=A-u) cm
1
15.5
40.0
24.5
9.49
2
16.5
39.2
22.7
9.55
3
17.5
38.7
21.5
9.51
4
23.5
40.1
16.6
9.72
5
24.5
41.0
16.5
9.85
6
27.5
42.8
15.3
9.83
30.5
45.0
14.5
9.82
7
8
32.5
46.5
14.0
9.78
Average focal length of convex lens-1
9.69
(cm)
8. Focal length f is calculated using Equation-1.
u = 15.5cm
v = 24.5cm
f =
cm
object and
object and
lens and
(cm)
f =
image
convex lens
image screen
(u) cm
(A) cm
screen
(v= A-u)
cm
1
19
73.8
54.8
14.10
2
20
68.0
48.0
14.11
3
22
62.6
40.6
14.26
4
24
59.8
35.8
14.36
5
26
58.6
32.6
14.46
6
28
58.0
30.0
14.48
30
58.8
28.8
14.69
7
8
32
59.2
27.2
14.70
Average focal length of convex lens-2 (cm)
14.40
Rewriting it as
y = , x = - , c =
The Y-intercept c can be determined from the graph, hence the focal length f of the convex
lens.
10. Table-1 and Table-2 are reformulated as Table-3 and Table-4 respectively.
(1/u)x10-2
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-10
-9
-8
-7
-6
-5
-4
-3
-2
-1
(-1/v)x10-2
f =
From the graph in Figure-5, the Y-intercept is given by
LE, Vol-13, No-3, Sept.-2013
f =
8
7
(1/u)x10-2
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-4
-3
-2
-1
(-1/v) x10-2
Result
The focal lengths of the two convex lenses are determined and tabulated in Table-5.It is seen
that there is reasonably good agreement between the values of focal lengths obtained by the
three methods.
Table-5: Focal lengths of the two convex lenses
Method
Focal length of convex
Lens
Lens-1
Lens-2
Approximate
9.25
13.3
u-v
9.69
14.4
Graphical
9.09
13.5
Average f
9.34
13.73
Reference
F A Jenkins and H E White, Fundamentals of Optics, Fourth Edition, McGraw-Hill
International Edition, 1981, Page-60
.
Experiment-408
Email: labexperiments@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Using an optical bench and an illuminated object, focal length of a convex mirror
is determined by the u-v method.
Theory
A convex mirror does not form a real image of an object but forms a virtual image which
cannot be focused on to a screen, because the rays reflected from the surface of a convex
mirror are divergent. These divergent rays can be made to converge using a convex lens and
an image can be formed on a screen. Hence its focal length cannot be determined as in the
case of a concave mirror. In order to determine focal length of a convex mirror, a convex lens
is, therefore, used in combination with the mirror. The convex lens produces an image which
forms the object for a convex mirror placed behind it. The real image formed by the convex
lens in the intervening space between the lens and the mirror becomes the object for the
convex mirror, as shown in Figure-1. This object forms a real image by the side of the actual
object. Hence the distance between the convex mirror and the screen gives the radius of
curvature of the convex mirror.
R = Distance between the convex mirror and the screen
Hence focal length, f, of the convex mirror is given by f = R/2.
Figure-2: (a) Image of the same size formed when the convex lens is placed close to the
convex mirror; (b) A magnified image is formed when the convex mirror is placed close
to the screen.
In this case, images of two sizes are formed in the convex mirror depending on its position
with respect to the convex lens. When the convex mirror is placed close to convex lens, a
small image (of the same size as the object) is formed, as shown in Figure-2(a). When the
convex mirror is placed away from convex lens, an image of larger size is formed as shown
in Figure-2(b). For a certain distance of convex mirror from the convex lens, the image
becomes very large, so that only a portion of it is visible on the screen. Hence in such cases it
is difficult to focus the image. Hence we have placed the convex mirror close to the convex
lens to get an image of the same size as the object.
Apparatus used
Optical bench with up-rights, of KamalJeeth make, consisting of: a convex mirror, convex
lens, screen and source of light. The apparatus used is shown in Figure-1, experiment-406.
Experimental procedure
1. The optical bench is illuminated with a light source and a convex lens with 10cm
focal length is placed at a distance of 12cm (which is in between the values f and 2f of
the convex lens) from the illuminated object and a white screen is placed on the other
side of the lens and a clear inverted image of the illuminated object is obtained on the
screen. The reading corresponding to the position of the screen, A, is noted.
A = 55cm
2. The convex mirror whose focal length is to be determined is introduced between the
convex lens and screen without disturbing them and its reflecting surface faces the
illuminated object. The convex mirror is now moved closer to the convex lens and a
well focused image of almost the same size as the illuminated object is observed on
the same side of the object, as shown in Figure-2(a). The position of the convex
mirror on the optical bench, B, is noted.
B = 23cm
Radius of curvature, R, is determined using Equation-1.
R = Distance between the convex mirror and the screen; R = A-B = 55-23 =27cm.
Focal length, f, of the convex mirror is calculated as
LE, Vol-13, No-3, Sept.-2013
f =R/2 = 13.5cm
The readings obtained are tabulated in Table-1.
Table-1: Distance between (i) the illuminated object and the screen (A), (ii) the
illuminated object and the convex mirror (B). Radius of curvature and focal length of
the convex mirror are obtained using a convex lens with 10cm focal length.
Trial Position
Distance
Distance
Radius of
Focal
between
of convex
between
curvature
length
lens
illuminated
illuminated
(R= A-B)
of
(cm)
object and
object and
cm
convex
screen (A)
convex
mirror
cm
mirror (B)
(f)
cm
cm
1
2
3
12
56.0
29.3
26.7
13
47.5
20.6
26.9
14
45.0
18.0
27.0
Average focal length of the convex mirror (cm)
13.35
13.45
13.50
13.43
Table-2: Distance between (i) the illuminated object and the screen (A), (ii) the
illuminated object and the convex mirror (B). Radius of curvature and focal length of
the convex mirror are obtained using a convex lens with 15cm focal length.
Trial
1
2
3
4
5
6
Position
of convex
lens
(cm)
Distance
between
illuminated
object and
screen (A)
cm
Distance
between
illuminated
object and
convex
mirror (B)
cm
Radius of
curvature
(R= A-B)
cm
23
61.8
36.0
25.8
24
61.0
35.0
26.0
25
59.8
34.0
25.8
26
59.1
33.5
25.6
27
59.0
32.8
26.2
28
58.8
32.4
26.4
Average focal length of the convex mirror (cm)
Focal
length
of
convex
mirror
(f)
cm
12.9
13.0
12.9
12.8
13.1
13.2
12.98
3. The experiment is repeated by placing the convex mirror at 13cm and 14cm distances
from the illuminated object. The positions of the screen (A) and the convex mirror (B)
are noted and the focal length of the mirror is calculated and presented in Table-1.
It may be noted that if the convex mirror is placed beyond a distance of 14 cm from
the illuminated object, it is difficult to focus the image properly.
4. The experiment is repeated by using a convex lens with 15cm focal length and the
readings obtained are tabulated in Table-2. In both the cases the values of radius of
curvature obtained for the given convex mirror are exactly the same.
Result
Average value of focal length of the convex mirror =13.2cm
Reference
[1]
Experiment-409
Email: labexperiments@rediffmail.com
Abstract
Using an optical bench and an illuminated object, focal length of a concave lens is
determined by the u-v, and graphical methods.
Theory
A concave lens does not form a real image of an object placed before it because of the
divergence of beam reflected from it. Hence to determine the focal length of a concave lens, a
convex lens is used in combination with it. Image of an illuminated object is first formed
employing a convex lens and position of the image is noted as reading A. Now the concave
lens whose focal length is to be determined is introduced between the convex lens and the
screen at the position B. As a result of this, the image on the screen becomes blurred. To get
back the original image, the screen is moved back and its position is adjusted till one
gets a clear image of the object without changing the positions of both convex and concave
lenses. The new position of image, C, is noted. In this case, for the concave lens the object is
virtual, hence u is negative and the image is real, or v is positive. The image formed by
the convex lens becomes the object for the concave lens, hence
u = distance between the position of the concave lens and the position of image formed by the
convex lens
u = B-A, since B< A, u is negative.
The image is formed on the screen, hence the image distance, v, is given by
v = distance between the final position of the screen and the position of the concave lens
v= C-B
f = =
In Equation-3 the sign has been taken care of and one can now write both u and v as positive
quantities. Figure-1 shows the image formation by a concave lens in combination with a
convex lens.
Apparatus used
Optical bench with up-rights, of KamalJeeth make, consisting of: concave lens, convex lens,
screen and light source. The apparatus used is shown in Figure-1, experiment 406.
Experimental procedure
The experiment consists of two parts
Part-I: Focal length determination using the u-v method
Part-II: Focal length determination by the graphical method
Figure-2: Illuminated optical bench with the object placed on the 0 mark on the
scale and real image of the illuminated object
2. A convex lens of known focal length (=10cm) is placed on the optical bench facing
the illuminated object at a distance of 22cm (more than the distance 2f =20cm). The
position of the screen is adjusted such that a clear inverted image of the illuminated
object is seen on the screen placed on the other side of the convex lens, as shown in
Figure-2(b). The position of the convex lens, A, is noted.
A =40cm
3. The concave lens whose focal length is to be determined is now placed between the
screen and the convex lens, as shown in Figure-3, and its position, B, is noted.
B = 28.5cm
Figure-3: Concave lens introduced between the convex lens and the focused image
formed
4. The screen is now moved away from the concave lens and its position is adjusted to
get a clear inverted image of the illuminated object on the screen without disturbing
the convex as well as the concave lenses and the new position of the screen, C, is
noted.
C = 59cm
5. The distances of the object and the image are calculated using Equations- 1 and 2
respectively. The values are tabulated in Table-1.
Position of the
u=B-A
v= C-B
Position Position of
Position of
f =
the concave
screen with
(cm)
(cm)
of the
the screen
(cm)
convex with convex
lens
convex lens
and concave
lens
lens forming
B(cm)
both together
(cm)
image
A (cm)
forming
image
C (cm)
22
40.0
28.5
59.0
11.5
30.5
-18.46
24
52.5
31.0
49.0
9.00
18.0
-18.00
26
44.9
41.8
67.6
10.7
25.8
-18.28
28
47.6
36.1
53.0
8.80
16.9
-18.36
30
48.1
38.8
55.2
8.80
16.4
-18.98
32
40.0
31.0
49.0
9.0
18.0
-18.00
34
41.1
32.0
50.4
9.1
18.4
-18.00
36
42.3
33.0
52.0
9.3
19.0
-18.20
-18.28
Average focal length of the concave lens (cm)
6. Focal length of the concave lens, f, is determined using Equation-3.
f =
=
Rewriting it as
y = , x =
,c=
The intercept c on the Y-axis can be determined from the graph, from which the focal
length f can be estimated
8. Table-1 is redrafted as Table-2.
9. A graph is drawn taking 1/v along X-axis and 1/u along Y-axis, as shown in Figure-4.
The straight line is extrapolated to intersect the Y-axis and the value (1/v) at the point
of intersection, being the Y-intercept, is noted.
Table-2: Distances u, v and the values (1/u), (1/v)
Trial u (cm)
(1/u)x10-2
v (cm)
(1/v) x10 -2
1
11.5
8.69
30.5
3.27
2
10.7
9.34
25.8
3.87
3
9.3
10.75
19.0
5.26
4
9.1
10.98
18.4
5.43
5
9.0
11.11
18.0
5.55
6
8.8
11.36
16.9
5.91
From the graph, the Y-intercept is given by
Y-intercept = c = -5.2x10-2 =- 0.052
(1/u) x10-2
f =
-5
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
-1 0
-2
-3
-4
-5
-6
10
15
(1/v) x10-2
u-v method
Graphical method
-18.28cm
-19.23cm
The values of focal length of a concave lens determined by two different methods are found
to be in good agreement with each other. The difference in the values of the focal length
obtained by the u-v method and the graphical method is about 5%.
Reference
[1]