Focal length of convex mirror using convex lens

Aim : To find focal length of convex mirror with the help of a convex lens.

Apparatus: Two sharp edge needles with stand, convex mirrors with stand, convex Lens
with stand, meter scale etc.

Principle: The image formed by a convex mirror is virtual and erect. Therefore, its focal
Length cannot be determined directly. However it can determined by
introducing a convex lens in between the object and the convex mirror.
𝑅
Formula: Focal length of convex mirror , f = cm
2
Where , f = focal length of the mirror, R = Radius of curvature

Ray Diagram:

a R
a R
Image of
object pin Image of
object pin
P2

FI C FI CI
CI C

P1 L M P1 L M P2

b b

R Radius of curvature of mirror

P1 Object pin
P2 Image pin
FI Focal length of convex lens
CI Centre of curvature of lens
C Centre of curvature of convex mirror
L and M are the lens and mirror
Procedure:

1)Find the approximate focal length of convex lens by focusing the distance object. Obtain
bright and clear image on sheet or wall and find the distance between Image and lens
which gives approximate focal length f .
2)Adjust the length of object pin, image pin, lens and mirror such that the heights tip of the
pins and the pole should be same.
3)Keep the convex mirror in between F’ and C’ of convex lens and note down the distance
between convex lens and convex mirror . keep object pin P1 on another side of convex
lens and adjust the position of object pin such that the parallax between object pin and
real inverted image in removed.
4)Now remove convex mirror and place image pin P2 in the same side and adjust the the
position such that parallel between image pin and real inverted image is
removed . note down the distance between image pin P2 and convex lens b.
5) Radius of curvature 'R' and focal length 'f' can be found using given formula.
6) Repeat step 3,4 and 5 for different values of 'a'.

Observation:
Approximate focal length of convex lens, f = cm

Observation table:

Distance
Distance between between the Radius of Focal length Mean Focal
Obs the convex lens convex lens curvature, of convex Length,
𝑹
no. and convex mirror, and image R=b–a f= f
𝟐
'a' in cm pin (P2), in cm in cm In cm
'b' in cm
1
2
3
4

𝑅
Calculation: focal length of convex mirror, f = cm
2

Result: focal length of convex mirror, f = cm