Expt.No.

2
Date :

Focal Length of a Convex Mirror

RHS
Aim:
To find the focal length of a convex mirror using a convex lens.
Apparatus Required:
✓ A concave mirror
✓ Mirror stand
✓ Convexlens
✓ Lens stand
✓ Screen
✓ Metre Scale
✓ Wire Gauze
Theory:
The focal length f of the convex mirror is calculated using the formula,
f = R/2 where f is the focal length and R is the radius of curvature.
Procedure

• Place a convex lens on a stand facing the illuminated wire gauze.

• Place a screen, at the other side of the lens so that the wire gauze, lens and screen are in a straight line.
• Adjust the position of screen to get a clear image of the wire gauze.
• Now fix the given convex mirror on another stand and place it in between the convex lens and screen
with its reflecting face facing the wire gauze.
• The position of the convex mirror is adjusted so that a clear image of the wire gauze is formed on the
illuminated wire gauze itself.
• Measure the distance between the mirror and the screen and take it as the radius of curvature of the mirror
R.
• Focal length is calculated using the formula f = R/2

Sources of Error
• The mirror and the lens may not have mounted vertically on the stand.
• The wire gauze, mirror, lens and the screen may not have kept in a straight line.
• The student might have observed a blurred image instead a very clear image.

1|Page
Precautions
• The mirror should be mounted vertically on the stand.
• The wire gauze, mirror, lens and the screen should be kept parallel to each other in a straight line.
• Image distance should be measured only for a clear image.
Result:
Focal length of convex mirror =----------------cm.

LHS
Ray Diagram:

Observations:
Trial No Radius of curvature ( R) in cm Focal length f = R/2 in cm
1
2
3
4
5
6

Mean f =

2|Page