PRACTICAL II: OPTICAL INSTRUMENTS

Objectives
i. To determine the focal length f of a lens.
ii. To determine the refractive index n of a glass block.
Apparatus I: Focal length f
- A convex lens
- A lens holder
- A candle
- A white screen
- A screen with cross wire
- A meter rule
Procedure I: Focal length f
a. Set up the apparatus as shown in the figure below.

b. Starting with u = 22.5cm, adjust the position of the screen to obtain a sharp
image of the cross wire being illuminated by the candle. Record the value of
v in the table I below.
c. Repeat the procedure in (b) for u = 35.0cm and 40.0cm. Complete the table
I.
v
u (cm) v ± err (cm) m ±err f= ± err
m+ 1

22.5
 35.0

40.0

Question
a. Determine the average value of f the focal length of the lens.
Apparatus II: Refractive index n of the glass block
- Soft board
- Vernier calliper.
- Rectangular Glass block
- Four optical pins.
- Plain sheet of paper.
- Two thumb tacks
- Protractor
Procedure II: Refractive index n of the glass block
a. Measure and record the width ‘t’ of the glass block using the Vernier calliper
provided.

t=………………………±………………………cm

b. Fix the white plain paper on the soft board using the two thumb tacks.
a. Place the glass bock on the paper, trace its outline and label it ABCD, as
shown
b. Remove the glass block and draw a normal, say at point O.
c. Draw a line making an angle of 300 with the normal to represent the incident
ray.
d. Replace the glass block carefully to its original position.
e. Fix two pins P1 and P2 on the line in such a way that they are vertical and at
least 4cm apart.
f. Looking through the glass block through face AB, fix two pins P3 and P4 so
that they are exactly in line with the P1 and P2. Mark the positions of P3 and
P4 .
g. Join P3 and P4 and produce the line to meet face AB of the block at O1. Join
O and O1.
h. Measure angle O1OP and OO1P.

O1OP=………………………….±……………………………°

OO1P =………………………….±……………………………°
 i. Measure the perpendicular distance d from the line O1N to OP produced.

d=………………………………±…………………………….cm

Questions
dcos angle (O O 1 P)
a. Determine t1 given that, t1 = .
sin angle( O 1 OP)

t1=………………………±……………………………cm

b. How do the values of t and t1 compare?

c. Determine the refractive index n of the glass block.