Aim

To find the focal length of a convex mirror using a convex lens.

Apparatus Required

An optical bench, four uprights with atleast two heaving lateral movement, a convex mirror, a convex
lens, a lens holder, two needles, a needle and a half metre scale.

Theory

A convex lens produces a real image of an object 'O' located at C. A convex mirror is placed in the path
of the rays between the lens and the image such that the rays after refraction through the lens fall
normally on the surface of the mirror. The rays are then reflected back retracing their path and
produce an image on the object. The distance PC gives the radius of convature of the mirror, i.e.,
PC = R

and focal length, f = R/2 = PC/2.

Ray diagram

Procedure

1. Find the approximate focal length of the given convex lens by focussing the image of a distant object
(say, a tree) on a screen and recording the separation between lens and the image.

2. Mount the object needle, the lens and the mirror on the optical bench as shown in Fig. and adjust
their height such that the tip of the needle, the optical centre of the lens and the pole of the mirror lie

at the same horizontal level.

3. Keep the object pin between F and 2F of the fens. Adjust the needle and the mirror such that there is

no parallax between the tip of the object needle and its inverted image formed at O itself. 4. Note the
positions of the object (O), the lens (L) and the mirror (M).

5. Remove the mirror and keep another needle C on the same side as the mirror. Adjust the needle C so

as to remove the parallax between image of O and the needle C. Record this position of C. 6. Repeat the
steps above 3 to 5 to record at least five different positions of the object and the lens.

7. Find the index correction between the mirror and image needle as explained earlier.

Observations & Calculations

Precautions

1. The tips of the needles and the centres of the lens and the mirror should be at same height.

2. The parallax should be removed from tip to tip.

3. The distance between the lens and the mirror should be small.
4. While adjusting the image needle, the lens and the object needle should not be disturbed.

5. The index correction should be carefully recorded and applied.

Sources of Errors

1. Parallax not removed completely.

2. The uprights are not perfectly vertical.

3. Optical centre, pole of the mirror and the tip of the object needle are not placed in a line.