1.

Certificate

2.Declaration

3. Acknowledgement

4. Objective

5. Introduction

6. Principle

7. Construction

8. Materials

9. Experimental procedure

10. Observation

11. Result

12. Sources of error

13. Precautions

14. Bibliography
Primarily I would thank god for being able to complete this project with success. Then I would
like to thank my physics teacher Mr.______________, whose valuable guidance has been the
ones that helped me patch this project and make it full proof success his suggestions and his
instructions has served as the major contributor towards the completion of the project.

Then I would like to thank my parents and friends who have helped me with their valuable
suggestions and guidance has been helpful in various phase of completion of the project.

Last but not the least I would like to thank my classmates who have helped me lot.
To find the refractive indices of

(a) water

(b) oil (transparent) using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens (made from a glass of
known refractive index) and an adjustable object needle.
The study of optics has been a source of fascination and wonder throughout the history of science.
From the pioneering works of ancient scholars to the cutting-edge technology of today, optics has
consistently captivated our imagination and propelled scientific progress. In this exploration of
optics, we delve into the intriguing world of refraction and the determination of refractive indices,
a fundamental concept with widespread applications. Refraction is a phenomenon that occurs
when light traverses the boundary between two different media, leading to the bending of light
rays and a change in their speed. This effect is responsible for various optical illusions and
practical applications, making it a cornerstone of optics. The degree to which light bends when
entering a new medium is quantified by a dimensionless number known as the refractive index (n).
The refractive index is a critical parameter that characterizes how light interacts with a given
material, defining the material's optical properties.

In this project, we embark on an experimental journey to uncover the refractive indices of two
distinct substances—water and transparent oil. The experiment utilizes a set of essential optical
instruments, including a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens made from glass with a known
refractive index, and an adjustable object needle. These components work in concert to enable us
to measure the angles of incidence and refraction, ultimately leading to the determination of the
refractive indices of water and transparent oil.

The practical implications of this experiment are extensive and diverse. Understanding the
refractive indices of different materials is not only scientifically intriguing but also offers a wealth
of practical applications across various fields. Optics and the principles of refraction are central to

the design of lenses, optical systems, and a wide array of optical devices, from cameras and

microscopes to eyeglasses and telescopes. Moreover, these principles underpin critical medical
diagnostics, helping us peer into the depths of biological samples and tissues.

As we embark on this scientific journey, we aim to connect the theoretical principles of refraction
and refractive indices with hands-on, real-world experimentation. By the end of this project, we
hope to have not only uncovered the refractive indices of water and transparent oil but also
deepened our understanding of these fundamental optical concepts. Through careful observation,
data collection, and analysis, we seek to reveal the unique optical signatures of these substances
and apply our findings to the broader world of optics and science.

In the following sections, we will detail the materials and apparatus used in the experiment,
outline the step-by-step procedure, provide a theoretical background on refraction and refractive
indices, present our observations and results, examine potential sources of error, and emphasize
the importance of safety precautions. This journey through optics will offer both insights into the
fundamental laws of light and a practical demonstration of the ways in which these laws shape our
world. The refractive index determines how much the path of light is bent, or refracted when
entering material. This is described by Snell's law of refraction, n1 sin θ1 = n2 sinθ2, where θ1
and θ2 are the angle of incidence and refraction, respectively, of a ray crossing the interface
between two media with refractive indices n1 and n2
principle behind the project to determine the refractive indices of water and transparent oil using a
plane mirror, an equiconvex lens made from glass with a known refractive index, and an
adjustable object needle is rooted in the fundamental laws of optics, specifically the phenomenon
of refraction. Refraction occurs when light transitions from one medium to another, resulting in
the bending of light rays and changes in their speed. This bending is quantified by the refractive
index, denoted as "n," which is a dimensionless number specific to each material.
In this project, the primary principle is to measure and compare the angles of incidence and
refraction as light passes from air (or vacuum) into water and transparent oil. This is accomplished
by directing a ray of light from a distant source, such as the sun, onto a plane mirror, which
reflects the incident ray toward the equiconvex lens immersed in the substances.
The key principle can be summarized as follows:
By applying Snell's law of refraction, which relates the sine of the angle of incidence (θ1) to the
sine of the angle of refraction (θ2) and the refractive indices of the media (n1 and n2), the project
aims to calculate the refractive indices (n2) of both water and transparent oil. The known
refractive index of the glass lens (n1) provides a reference point for these calculations.
This experiment demonstrates how the principles of refraction and the refractive indices of
different materials can be practically determined. It underscores the fundamental relationship
between angles of incidence and refraction and their connection to the refractive indices,
highlighting the pivotal role of optics in understanding and manipulating the behaviour of light in
various applications.
Constructing an experiment to determine the refractive indices of water and transparent oil using a
plane mirror, an equiconvex lens made from glass with a known refractive index, and an
adjustable object needle involves the following steps, as depicted in the simplified diagram below:

Construction:

-Begin by setting up a container with water (a) and another container with transparent oil (b).

These containers should be transparent to allow for observations .

- Place a plane mirror (c) at the bottom of each container so that the mirror is submerged in both
the water and the oil. The mirror's surface should be flat and parallel to the surface of the liquid.

- Insert an equiconvex lens (d) vertically into both containers, ensuring that it partially immerses
in both the water and the oil.

- Position an adjustable object needle (e) in front of the lens within the water and oil containers.
The needle should be movable to allow for adjustments in the angle of incidence.

- Now, for each container (one with water and one with oil), direct a ray of light (f) from a distant
source, such as the sun or a distant object, onto the plane mirror at an angle of incidence. The
mirror will reflect this incident ray towards the equiconvex lens, where refraction occurs as it
enters the water or oil.

- Observe and measure the angle of refraction within the lens for both the water and oil. Record
these angles for each medium.

- The known refractive index of the glass lens (n1) serves as a reference. Using Snell's law (n1

sin(θ1) = n2 sin(θ2)), where θ1 is the angle of incidence and θ2 is the angle of refraction, you can
calculate the refractive indices (n2) for both water and transparent oil.
By following this construction and experimental procedure along with the principles of refraction
and Snell's law, you can accurately determine the refractive indices of water and transparent oil.
This experiment provides valuable insights into the fundamental concepts of optics and their
practical applications.

[Diagram: (a) Container with Water, (b) Container with Oil, (c) Plane Mirror, (d) Equiconvex
Lens, (e) Adjustable Object Needle, (f) Incident Light Ray]
If f1 and f2 be the focal length of glass convex lens and liquid lens and F be the focal length of
their combination then,

1 1 1 ff 2
= +
f f1 f2 or f 2=
f 1−f

Liquid lens formed is a planoconcave lens with R1= R (radius of curvature of convex lens
surface), R2 = ∞

1 1 1
=( n−1 ) −
f2 R1 R2

1 1
¿ ( n−1 ) −
R1 ∞

1
¿ ( n−1 ) −0
R

1 n−1
=
f2 R

R
n= +1
f2

Where n=Refractive index of the liquid,

R=The radius of the curvature of the convex lens .

The radius of the lower surface of the convex lens is given by:
2
l h
R= +
6h 2

Here, l is the average distance between the legs of the spherometer and h is the difference in the
reading of the spherometer when placed first on the convex lens and then on a plane mirror
• Convex lens
• Plane mirror

• Water

• Oil

• Clamp stand

• An Optical needle

• Plumb line

• Knitting needle

• Half meter scale

• Glass slab

• Spherometer
For focal length of convex lens
1.Take any one convex lens and find its rough focal length.
2.Take a plane mirror and place it on the horizontal base of the iron stand.
3.Place the convex lens on the plane mirror.
4.Screw tight the optical needle in the clamp of the stand and hold it horizontally above the lens at
distance equal to its rough focal length
5.Bring the tip of the needle at the vertical principal axis of the lens, so that tip of the needle
appears touching the tip of its image.
6.Move the needle up and down and remove parallax between tips of the needle and its image.
7.Measure distance between tip and upper surface of the lens by using a plumb line and half metre
scale.
8.Also measure distance between tip and the surface of its plane mirror.
For focal length of the combination
1.Take a few drops of transparent liquid on the plane mirror and put the convex lens over it with
its same face above as before (A piano concave liquid lens is formed between plane mirror and
convex lens).
2.Repeat steps 6, 7 and 8.
3.Record your observations as given below.
For radius of curvature of convex lens surface:
1.Determine the pitch and the least count of the spherometer.
2.Remove the convex lens and dry incompletely. Put the spherometer on this lens surface.
3.All the three legs of the spherometer should be placed symmetrically on the lens and adjust the
central screw tip to touch the surface of the lens
4.Remove the spherometer from the surface of the lens and place on the plane mirror surface and
record the reading.
5.Repeat the steps 10 and 11 three times.
6.Obtain the impressions of the three legs of the spherometer on a paper and mark them and their
average distance.

l1+l 2+l3
l=
3
Pitch of the spherometer = 1 cm
Least count of the spherometer = 0.01 cm
Distance between the legs:
(1) AB = 3 cm
(2) BC = 3 cm
(3) CA = 3 cm
Calculation:

Mean distance between two legs

AB+ BC + CA
l= =3 cm
3

Mean of h

= (0.555+0.6)/2 =0.5775 cm

To find the radius of the curvature of the convex lens:

2
l h
R= +
6 h 2 = 2.8861 cm

Measurement of refractive index of water and oil

1)with water between the convex lens and the plane mirror:

R 2.8861
µ1=1+ =1+ =1.0831
f2 34.7

2) With oil between the convex lens and plane mirror:

R 2.8861
µ2=1+ =1+ =1.2886
f3 10
RESULT:

The refractive index of water is µ1= 1.0831

The refractive index of oil is µ2= 1.2886
1.Liquid may not be quite transparent.

2.The parallax may not be fully removed.

3.The spherometer legs should be placed symmetrical on the surface of the convex lens.

4.The tip of the central screw should not just touch the surface of lens or mirror
1.The plane mirror should be clean and fully shining surface.

2.The liquid taken should be transparent.

3.The parallax should be removed tip to tip.

4.The eye should be at a distance about 30 cm from the needle while removing the parallax.

5.Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that its layer should be thick.

6.The legs of the spherometer should be vertical.

7.The centre leg of the spherometer should turn in one direction only.
NCERT text book
NCERT physics lab manual
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