Experiment 10.

2 FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONCAVE

LENS

GAIM
Determination of the focal length of convex lens by obtaining a sharp image of a distant ohjeet.

MATERIALS REQUIRED
Object at
Wooden bench, lens holder, screen holder, etc
Large distance
SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE

1 To learn to distinguish mirror, lenses and types of lenses

2. To learn about the converging nature of convex lens
3. To learn to draw ray diagram
Fig. 10.12
THEORY

Focal length of a convex lens is taken as positive. It is capable of converging parallel beams to the focus Any distant
object will send parallel beams o light, which on passing through the lens, will converge at the focus. The distance
between the position of the lens, i.e., optical centre and the screen where light converges is called the focal length of
the given lens.
Object at large distance:
IB-Image, F-First focus, 2F-Second focus. Image is inverted, real and at F.

PROCEDURE

1. Arrange the wooden bench capable of holding the lens and screen horizontally on a table, so that the lens and screen
are not disturbed
2. Keep the lens in a holder facing a distant object say tree branches.
3. Fix the screen on another holder and keep it on the bench.
4 Adjust the position of the screen in such a way that a sharp image of the given distant object falls on it.
5. Note down the position of the lens in the table and the screen, and find the differences and record the same
6. The difference will give the focal length of the given convex lens.
7. Focus the lens towards various distant objects and repeat the experiment to find the position of sharp image and
thereby the focal length.
8. Add all the focal lengths found out and find the value of focal
mean
length of the convex lens.
0BSERVATION TABLE

Object Position of convex lens Position of screen Focal length, f

No. C) (S) C-S) em
2.
3

Total f
Mean value of focal length of convex lens = Cm

Science Lab Skills-X 85

 RESULT

The focal length of the given convex lens is found by using distant objects. Its value is found to be +.Cm.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Wooden bench should be placed on a horizontal table perfectly.
2. Screen and lens should be held vertically.
3. Position of screen should be adjusted for a sharp image.
4. More trials may be taken to reduce error.