Activity 9: Thin Lenses

Date Performed SCORE /20

Name: Naima M. Asolog

Activity No.9
THIN LENSES

INTRODUCTION

Converging lenses are thicker at the center than at the rim and converge a beam of parallel
light to a real focus. Diverging lenses on the other hand are thinner at the center than at the rim and
diverge a beam of parallel light from a virtual focus.

Figure 9.1

The principal focus of a thin lens with spherical surfaces is the point F where rays parallel to and
near the principal axis x are brought to a focus; this focus is real for converging lens and virtual for a
diverging lens. The focal length is the distance of the principal focus from the lens.

The object and image relation for the converging and diverging lenses is

1 1 1
+ = , (1)
s s' f

Where s is the distance of the object from the lens, s’ is the distance of the image from the lens, and
f is the focal length of the lens. The lens is assumed to be thin to adopt the following conventions:

positive for real object positive for a converging lens

s= f=
negative for a virtual object negative for a diverging lens

. .
size of image s'
Linear magnification m = =− (2)
size of object s
 Activity 9: Thin Lenses

Given an upright and real object, a converging lens form a real and inverted image of an object
located outside of the principal focus. For an object located inside the principal focus, the image is
virtual (on the same side of the lens as the object), upright and enlarged. With the same object, a
diverging lens produces only virtual, upright and smaller image.

When two thin lenses having focal lengths f1 and f2 are in contact, the focal length of the
combination is given by the equation
1 1 1
= + . (3)
f f1 f2
OBJECTIVE
To measure the focal lengths of converging and diverging lenses.
 Activity 9: Thin Lenses

APPARATUS
Converging lens, diverging lens, lens holder, meter stick, colored chalk, rug, image screen,
candle

PROCEDURE

A. Use of distant landscape

1. Fit a converging lens in a lens holder. Mount a white board image screen on a holder making sure
it is in upright position.

2. Place the lens on one end of a table facing a window. The window serves as the object. Place the
mounted screen on the end of the table with the lens in between. Adjust the position of the lens
until an image of the window is sharply outlined on the screen. Measure the distance s's from the

lens to the screen. The distance should be from the middle of the lens holder to the screen.

s's = 13 cm (1 point)

Note: If the weather permits, use the sun as object and measure s's . (This is more accurate).

Show why s's should be equal to the focal length of the lens. (2 points)

⟩ The value of the focal length of the lens is or should be equal to the value of s¹ s (image
distance) when rays are parallel to the principal axis.

Lens equation is given by:

1/s + 1/s¹ = 1/f

Where:

s = distance of the object from the lens

s¹ = distance of the image from the lens

f = focal length

Light from the object radiates away in concentric circles. The light rays become parallel as
s → ∞. As s → ∞, 1/s → 0 and the thin lens equation becomes:

1/s¹ = 1/f

Hence, s¹s = f as s → ∞
 Activity 9: Thin Lenses

B. Use of thin lens equation

1. Using colored chalk, draw a straight line across a table.

2. Place a lighted candle on one end of the drawn line.

3. Place the converging lens at a distance a little greater than s's in Part A but less than 2 s's

from the candle. NOTE: The height of the candle should be such that its light is in line with the
center of the lens.

4. Place the screen on the other end of the line. Adjust its position until an image of the candle light
is sharply outlined on the screen. Measure the distance s of the candle light to the lens and the
distance s’ of the screen to the lens.

5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4 for s satisfying the conditions as shown in the following table. Fill up Table
9.1 with the indicated data.

Table 9.1. (10 points)

Condition
s s' y = 1/s x = 1/s’ xy x2
for s
s's  s  2s's 20 cm 37 cm 0.05 0.027 1.35x10-3 7.29x10-4
s = 2s's 26 cm 27 cm 0.038 0.037 1.406x10-3 1.369x10-3
2s 's  s  3s 's 34 cm 21 cm 0.029 0.047 1.363x10-3 2.209x10-3
s = 3s's 39 cm 20 cm 0.026 0.05 1.3x10-3 2.5x10-3
4 4 4 4

∑ 𝑦𝑖 =0.143 ∑ 𝑥𝑖 =0.161 ∑ 𝑥𝑖𝑦𝑖 ∑ 𝑥2𝑖

𝑖=1 𝑖=1 =5.419x10-3 =6.807x10-3
𝑖=1 𝑖=1
 Activity 9: Thin Lenses

Use linear regression to solve for the 𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡. Then solve for the focal length f using the
relation 𝑦 𝑖𝑛𝑡𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑒𝑝𝑡 = 1⁄𝑓.(3 points)

Solving for y intercept: Solving for the focal length f

n=4
y = 1/f
y intercept = f = 1/y
= 1/0.07723
= 12.9 ≈ 13 cm
= (0.143) (6.807x10 -3) – (0.161) (5.419x10-3 )
4 (6.807x10 -3) – (0.161)²

= 0.000100942
0.001307

= 0.07723

Compare the result in procedure A to procedure B. (1 point)

⟩ The result in Procedure A is 13 cm while the focal length is 12.9 or approximately, 13 cm.

= (12.9 cm – 13 cm) / 13 cm x 100%

= 0.77%