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Physics Investigatory Project
Physics Investigatory Project
VIDEO DEMONSTRATION
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G4SpfMM
Ey8Y
PROJECT PROCEDURE
http://www.seminarsonly.com/Engineering-
Projects/Physics/Refractive-Indices-of-Water-
And-Turpentine-Oil.php
http://www.scribd.com/doc/124741001/Physics-
Project#scribd
Comprehensive Practical Physics - Laxmi
Publications
Equi-convex lens, plane mirror, a thin needle,
iron stand with clamp, water and oil,
spherometer, metre scale
By lens-makers formula
𝑛𝑔 1 1 1
( − 1) ( − ) =
𝑛𝑙 𝑅1 𝑅2 𝑓
Where: ng: Refractive index of lens glass
nl : Refractive index of liquid used
R1: Radius of curvature of side 1 of
lens
R2: Radius of curvature of side 2 of
lens
From the experiment we can find f (focal
length)
R1 and R2 (Radius of curvatures) can be
measured
ng is known or easily calculated when
experiment is done in air
Hence nl can be calculated by using the lens-
makers formula
Finding Radius of Curvature of lens:
1) Determine the least count and pitch of the
spherometer.
2) Rotate the screw till it is at zero.
3) Put the lens on the flat surface and place
the spherometer on top, and rotate the
screw till all 3 legs and tip of screw meet
lens surface.
4) Note down circular scale reading (call it
a1).
5) Place the spherometer on a flat surface and
rotate the screw till 3 legs and tip of screw
meets the surface.
6) Note down the reading in circular scale
(call it a2) and number of complete
rotations (call them n).
7) Press the 3 legs of spherometer on a sheet
of paper. Using the marks draw a triangle
and measure the length of each side (l1,l2
and l3).
8) Repeat the steps 2-6 three times and note it
down.
9) After determining the height divide it by 2
and use it to find radius of curvature (Call
it R) (This due the reason that lens is equi-
convex in nature).
h= cm
𝑙2 ℎ2
Radius of curvature 𝑅 = +
6ℎ 2
R= cm
For focal length of lens:
𝑥1 + 𝑥2
Sl.No Distance of needle from 𝑓=
2
Mirror x1 (cm) Lens x2 (cm) (cm)
1) f1=
2) f2=
3) f3=
𝑓1 +𝑓2 +𝑓3
Focal length 𝑓 =
3
f= cm
For focal length of lens with water:
𝑥1 + 𝑥2
Sl.No Distance of needle from 𝑓𝑤 =
2
Mirror x1 (cm) Lens x2 (cm) (cm)
1) f1=
2) f2=
3) f3=
𝑓1 +𝑓2 +𝑓3
Focal length 𝑓𝑤 =
3
fw= cm
For focal length of lens with oil:
𝑥1 + 𝑥2
Sl.No Distance of needle from 𝑓𝑜 =
2
Mirror x1 (cm) Lens x2 (cm) (cm)
1) f1=
2) f2=
3) f3=
𝑓1 +𝑓2 +𝑓3
Focal length 𝑓𝑜 =
3
fo= cm
Calculating refractive index:
Without any liquid
𝑹
𝒏= +𝟏
𝒇
Hence refractive index of lens n=
With water:
𝑹
𝒏 = 𝒏𝒈 ( + 𝟏)
𝒇𝒘
Hence refractive index of water nw=
With oil:
𝑹
𝒏 = 𝒏𝒈 ( + 𝟏)
𝒇𝒐
Hence refractive index of oil no=
Refractive index of water is:
Refractive index of oil is: