BRILLIANT PUBLIC SCHOOL

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

“To determine the refractive indices of
different types of oils”

AISSCE : 2023-24

GUIDED BY- PRESENTED BY-

Mrs. Shyamali Deb Tulika Pal
XII SCIENCE ‘Beta’
ROLL NO :
 CERTIFICATE
ROLL NO.-
This is to certify that Tulika Pal , a student of class
XII Science has successfully completed the research
on the project titled – ‘ To determine the refractive
indices of different types of oils ‘ under the
guidance of Mrs. Shyamali Deb during the year
2023 -24 in the fulfillment of Physics Practical
Examination conducted by CBSE , AISSCE 2023-24

External Examiner Internal Examiner

Principal’s Signature School Stamp

 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The successful completion of any task would be incomplete
without mentioning the name of those people who helped to
make it possible . I take this opportunity to express my
gratitude in few words and respect to all those who helped
me in the completion of this project.
I also register my sense of gratitude to our principal, Mrs.
Shruti Gupta Ma’am for her immense encouragement that has
made this project successful.
It is my humble pleasure to acknowledge my deep sense of
gratitude to my Physics Teacher Mrs. Shyamali Deb for her
valuable support , motivation , constant help and guidance at
each and every stage without which this project would not
have come forth.

I would like to thank lab assistance Jafar Sir and Mrinal Sir for
helping me. I would also like to thank my friends and my
family for encouraging me during the course of this project.

TULIKA PAL
Class – XII science’β’
S.NO CONTENT PAGE
NO.
1. OBJECTIVE 1-2
2. APPARATUS 3
3. DIAGRAM 4
4. THEORY 5-6
5. PROCEDURE 7-8
6. OBSERVATION 9
7. CALCULATION 10
8. RESULTS 11
9. PRECAUTIONS 12
10. SOURCES OF ERROR 13
11. BIBLIOGRAPHY 14
 INDEX

OBJECTIVE
“To find the refractive indices of different
types of oils”

1. SOYABEAN OIL
2.COCONUT OIL

2. KEROSENE OIL

Using a plane mirror , an equiconvex lens (

made from a glass of known refractive
index ) and an adjustable object needle.
APPRATUS
• A Convex lens
• A Plane mirror
• Coconut oil
• Soyabean oil
• Kerosene oil
• Clamp stand
• An optical needle
• Plumb lime
• Knitting needle
• Half meter scale
• Glass slab
• A spherometer

DIAGRAM
Focal length of glass convex lens and
liquid lens combination

THEORY
❖If f1 and f2 be the focal length of the glass convex
lens and liquid lens and f be the focal length of their
combination then:-
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑓1 𝑓2

𝑓𝑓1
Or, f2 = 𝑓1−𝑓

❖Liquid lens formed a plano- convex lens with R1=R

and R2=∞, then by using lens maker’s formula:-
1 1 1
= (n-1 )(𝑅1-𝑅2)
𝑓2
1 1
= ( n-1)(𝑅1-∞) ( R2 = ∞)
 1
= (n-1) (𝑅1- 0 )
1
= (n-1)𝑅1
1
=(n-1)𝑅 (R1 =R)
1 𝑛−1
= 𝑅
𝑓2
𝑅
n= 𝑓2+1
where, n = refractive index of the liquid and R is the
radius of curvature of the lower surface of the
convex lens.
❖ The radius of the lower surface of the convex lens is
given by : -
𝑙2 ℎ
R= +
6ℎ 2
Here, l is the average distance between the legs of
the spherometer , and h is the difference in the
reading on the convex lens and them on plane
mirror.
 PROCEDURE
❖ For focal length of Convex Lens
1. Find the rough length of the convex lens

2. Place a plane mirror on the horizontal base of the

iron stand and then a convex lens on the plane
mirror.

3. Hold the needle in the clamp stand and adjust the

position such that there is no parallax between
the tip of the needle and its image.

4. Measure distance between tip and upper surface

of the lens by using a plumb line and half meter
scale .Also measure the distance between the tip
 of the needle and the upper surface of the mirror.
Take the mean of the two readings .This mean
distance will be equal to the focal length of the
convex lens (f1).

❖For focal length of the combination :-

5. Put a few drops of water on the plane mirror and
put the convex lens over it with its same face
above as before .The water spreads in the form of
a layer and acts like plano concave lens.

6. Repeat the steps 3 and 4 to determine the

equivalent focal length of the combination.

7. Record the observations.

8. Repeat the steps for other transparent liquid

(oil).[step 5,6,7]
 OBSERVATION
Table for focal length of the lens and
combinations.
ARRANGEMENT DISTANCE OF NEEDLE FOCAL
TIP LENGTH

X (cm)
X1 X2 X3

(cm) (cm) (cm)

1. Without liquid 11 11.5 11.25 fg = 11.25

2. With soyabean oil 17.5 18 17.75 F = 17.75

3. With coconut oil 18 18.5 18.25 F =18.25

4. With kerosene oil 18 18.5 18.25 F = 18.25

Here, X1 = distance of needle tip from lens surface ,and X2 = from mirror

CALCULATIONS
Rough focal length of convex lens = 10.5 cm
l= 3cm, zero error= -0.012 cm , h= 1.1014
𝑙2 ℎ 9 1.1014
we know, R=6ℎ+ 2=6 𝑋 0.1014+ 2 =-14.85cm
𝑅
now, µ= 1+
𝑓2
1 1 1
therefore, 𝑓2=17.75 - 11.25= 0.032550cm
14.85 1
µ(soyabean oil):- 1+ 0.032550 x = 1+ 0.456
1000
 µ=1.456
similarly for :-
coconut oil,µ=1.435
kerosene oil , µ=1.436

RESULTS
➢ The refractive index if coconut
oil is 1.435
➢ The refractive index of
soyabean oil is 1.456
➢ The refractive index of
kerosene oil is 1.436
 PRECAUTIONS
• The plane mirror should be clean and should
have fully shining surface.

• The liquid taken should be transparent.

• The parallax should be removed tip to tip.

• The eye should be at a distance about 30cm

from the needle while removing the parallax.
• Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that
its layer is thick.

• The legs of the spherometer should be vertical.

• The centre leg of the spherometer should turn

in one direction only.

SOURCES OF ERROR

Liquid may not be quite transparent.

The parallax may not be fully removed.

The spherometer legs should be placed

symmetrical on the surface of the convex
lens.
 The tip of the centre screw should not just
touch the surface of lens or mirror.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
• Comprehensive Physics practical textbook
class XII.
• `PHYSICS NCERT Textbook class XII