Seek Wisdom, Elevate Your Intellect and Serve Humanity!
CEBS:
Department of Physics
LABORATORY REPORT
EXPERIMENT : 6
Focal lengths of Lenses
Members Id
AHMED GIZACHEW UGR/8197/17
Amesyas Gashu UGR/1625/17
Ahmed Umer UGR/2019/17
Dagim Belete UGR/7551/17
Adisu Kumsa UGR/1107/17
Experiment date:
1/01/2025
Submission
date:1/08/2025
Lab Instructor: Ato Mulalem Y. Technical Assistant: Ato Bogale A
Introduction
The focal length of an optical system is a measure of how strongly the system converges or
diverges light; it is the inverse of the system's optical power. A positive focal length indicates
that a system converges light, while a negative focal length indicates that the system diverges
light. A system with a shorter focal length bends the rays more sharply, bringing them to a focus
in a shorter distance or diverging them more quickly. For the special case of a thin lens in air, a
positive focal length is the distance over which initially collimated (parallel) rays are brought to a
focus, or alternatively a negative focal length indicates how far in front of the lens a point source
must be located to form a collimated beam. For more general optical systems, the focal length
has no intuitive meaning; it is simply the inverse of the system's optical power.
In most photography and all telescopy, where the subject is essentially infinitely far away, longer
focal length (lower optical power) leads to higher magnification and a narrower angle of view;
conversely, shorter focal length or higher optical power is associated with lower magnification
and a wider angle of view. On the other hand, in applications such as microscopy in which
magnification is achieved by bringing the object close to the lens, a shorter focal length (higher
optical power) leads to higher magnification because the subject can be brought closer to the
center of projection.
Objectives
To experimentally determine the focal length of a convex lens using measurements and
the lens formula.
To verify the calculated focal length through a graphical analysis.
To gain hands-on experience with the principles of refraction and image formation by
lenses.
F=focal point
f=focal length
Apparatus :
1) Optical Bench --- - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - -1
2) A screen to form images --- - - - -- - - - - -- - - - - 1
3) Concave lens - - - - - - -- - - - -- - - - -- - - - - -- - - 1
4) Lamp with object on face (illuminated object) - 1
5) Holders for lenses -- - - - -- - - - - - - -- -- - - - - - - - 1
6) Meter stick - - - - - - -- - - - - - - - -- - - - - - -- - - - - - 1
7) Convex lens different focal length - - - - - -- - - - - 1
Procedure and Data collection
1,place the screen at a distance D from the illuminated object
2,place the lens between the object and the screen at a point where a clear image appears on the
screen. Note the position of the lens stand .
3,keeping the object and screen fixed , a second position is found in which the lens gives a well-focused
image on the screen
4, Repeat the Above steps for 5 Different values of D
5,Tabulate the Corresponding sets of D and d.
Data Gathered /Collected
S.№ D(cm) d(cm) D2 − d2 (𝑐𝑚2) 4D(cm) f (cm)= (D2 −
d2)/(4D)
1 52.7 11.7 2640.4 210.8 12.525616
2 57.7 20.94 2890.80 230.8 12.524
3 62.7 28.08 3142.80 250.8 12.530
4 67.7 34.50 3393.04 270.8 12.528
5 72.7 40.47 3647.46 290.8 12.541
Discovery problems
(a) Determine the average value of the focal length
The average value of the focal length for the above experiment is 12.5297232 rounded to
12.530
Data and Error Analysis
Accurate data collection and thorough analysis are essential when conducting an experiment to
determine the focal length of a lens. The process begins with gathering key measurements,
including the distance between the lens and the object, as well as the distance between the lens
and the image formed.
For a comprehensive analysis, it is beneficial to calculate the average focal length and the
standard deviation, particularly if multiple trials are conducted. These statistical measures
provide insight into the reliability and consistency of the results. Visualizing the data through
graphs can further enhance understanding. For example, plotting the object distance on one axis
and the image distance on the other can reveal relationships between these variables, ultimately
aiding in the determination of the focal length.
B)This is the graph D2-d2 vs 4D
The plot of D2−d2D^2 - d^2D2−d2 versus 4D4D4D is displayed, and the slope of the linear fit, which
corresponds to the focal length f∗, is approximately 12.582 CM.
C, The mean focal length fˉ from the data is approximately 12.530 cm.
The theoretical focal length f∗ determined from the slope is 12.582 cm.
Thus, the two values are very close, indicating consistency between the dataset and the
theoretical mode.
Sources of Error
Several factors can affect the accuracy of the results in this experiment. Common sources of
error include:
1. Parallax Error:
o This occurs when measurements are taken with the observer's eye not directly
aligned with the scale, leading to incorrect readings.
2. Measurement Errors:
o
Small inaccuracies in measuring distances, such as object-to-lens or lens-to-image
distances, can lead to deviations in the calculated focal length.
3. Lens Positioning:
o Misalignment or instability in the placement of the lens, object, or image screen
can result in incorrect measurements.
4. Lens Imperfections:
o Physical defects in the lens, such as scratches, uneven surfaces, or distortions, can
interfere with the proper convergence of light.
5. Systematic Errors:
o Consistent errors, such as an uncalibrated optical bench or a misaligned apparatus,
can bias all measurements in the same direction.
6. Environmental Factors:
o Variations in temperature, air pressure, or humidity can alter the refractive index
of air or the optical properties of the lens, introducing subtle inaccuracies.
Interpreting the Results
Once the analysis is complete, it is important to carefully interpret the findings. This involves
identifying any patterns or trends in the data and comparing the experimental results with
theoretical predictions. It is equally important to acknowledge the potential sources of error and
evaluate their impact on the measurements. By doing so, the reliability and validity of the results
can be assessed, providing valuable insights into the optical properties of the lens and the
experimental process.
Questions
1,Two real images can be found for a given object screen distance. What are the similarities and
differences of the images? What general principle explain the extended of two images?
Similarities
Both images are real, inverted, and created by the same lens.
They obey the lens formula
Identical for the same object-screen distance and lens focal length.
Differences
One image is enlarged and farther away from the lens, the other reduced and closer up.
The magnified image is formed when the object is close to the focal point and the reduced
image is formed when it is kept away.
General Principle
Due to the symmetry of the lens equation and the ability of light rays to reverse direction, two different
configurations exist with the object and image distances that will give the same total object-screen
distance, and therefore two images exist.
2,The lens in the human eye is convex. If forms real image on the retina therefore the image on the
retina is inverted. Despite this fact we see upright images. Is there any contradiction ?
No, that's not a contradiction. Not only is the image formed on the retina inverted, but
we see objects upright, and this is all because of the way our brain processes visual
information. Here's why: How It Works:
The retina senses light and focuses images on it:
A real image of a distant object with an inverted image is formed by the eye using a convex
lens.
The Brain Is Involved in the Processing of Visual Data:
The image on the retina is upside down and the brain processes that message.
However, we come to know the inverted image as right side up through experience with
the world, and our brain slowly bends this way of seeing the world to complement our
inverted view.
The brain interprets the image formed on the retina and not the actual image itself.
This is why we always perceive objects as being upright, despite inverted images being
formed on the retina.
There is no contradiction because the brain corrects the inversion. This is a natural process of visual
perception and part of how the human visual system functions.
Conclusion
In this experiment, we successfully determined the focal length of a convex lens using both
experimental measurements and graphical methods. The results demonstrated how the focal
length is a fundamental property of lenses, influencing their ability to converge light and form
images.
By analyzing the relationship between object distance, image distance, and focal length through
the lens formula, we gained practical insights into the principles of refraction and image
formation. The experiment also highlighted the importance of precision in measurements, as
small errors in alignment or distance could significantly impact the accuracy of the results.
Overall, this study reinforced the key concepts of lens optics and their real-world applications,
such as in optical instruments and vision correction. The graphical method provided an
additional layer of validation, ensuring the reliability of the focal length obtained. Future
experiments could explore the behavior of concave lenses or investigate how environmental
factors, such as temperature, affect optical properties.
