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Physics Investigative Project

1) The document describes an experiment to determine the refractive index of water and oil using a convex lens, plane mirror, and optical needle. 2) Light passing through water or oil creates a converging lens, and the focal length of this "liquid lens" combined with the convex lens is measured. 3) The radius of curvature of the convex lens is also measured using a spherometer. 4) The refractive index is then calculated using the measured focal lengths and radius based on lensmaker's formula and the relationship between refractive index and focal length.

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Amie Abdul
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467 views

Physics Investigative Project

1) The document describes an experiment to determine the refractive index of water and oil using a convex lens, plane mirror, and optical needle. 2) Light passing through water or oil creates a converging lens, and the focal length of this "liquid lens" combined with the convex lens is measured. 3) The radius of curvature of the convex lens is also measured using a spherometer. 4) The refractive index is then calculated using the measured focal lengths and radius based on lensmaker's formula and the relationship between refractive index and focal length.

Uploaded by

Amie Abdul
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Introduction

In optics the refractive index or the index of refraction n of a materials is a dimensionless


number that describes how light propagates through that medium it is defined as:

Where c is the speed of light in a vacuum and v is the phase velocity of light in the medium. For
example, the refractive index of water is 1.333 i.e., light travels 1.333 times faster in a vacuum
then it does in water

Aim/Objective
To find the refractive index of water and oil using plane mirror, an equiconvex
lens, and an adjustable object needle.
Apparatus
 A convex lens
 A plane mirror
 Water
 Kerosene oil
 Clamp
 Stand
 Optical needle
 Plumb line
 Knitting needle
 Half meter scale
 Glass slab
 A spherometer
Diagrams
Theory
1)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

2) liquid lens formed of Plano - concave lens with R1=R and R2= ∞ then by using lens makes
formula

Where n= refractive index of the liquid


R =The radius of the curvature of the convex lens
3) The radius of the lower surface of the convex lens is given by:

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

Procedure
(a) For focal length of convex lens
1. Find the rough focal 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 its position on the stand such that there is no
parallax between the tip of the needle and its image.
4. Measure the distance between the tip and the 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 means distance will be equal to
the focal length of convex lens (f1).

(b)For focal length of the combination


5. Put a few drops of water on the plain mirror and put the convex lens over it with it facing up.
The water spreads in the form of a layer and acts like a Plano-concave lens.
6. Repeat steps three and four to determine the equivalent focal length of the combination.
7. Record the observation.
8. Repeat steps 5,6 and 7 for the other transparent liquid (oil).

(C) For radius of curvature of convex lens surface


9. Determine the pitch and the least count of the spherometer.
10. Remove the convex lens and dry it completely. Put this spherometer on this lens surface.
11. 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.
12. Remove the spherometer from the surface of the lens and place on the plane mirror surface
and record the readings.
13. Repeat steps 10 and 11 three times.
14. Obtain the impressions of the three legs of the spherometer on a piece of paper and mark
them and their average distance.

Observations
Calculations
Results

Precautions
1. The plane mirror should be clean and fully shining surface
2. The liquid taken should be transparent
3. The parallax should be remote tip to tip
4. The eye should be at a distance of about 30 cm from the needle while removing the parallax.
5. Only a 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 center line of the spherometer should turn in one direction only.

Sources of error
1. Liquid may not be quite transparent.
2. The parallax may not be fully removed.
3. Does parameter leg should be placed symmetrical on the surface of the convex lens.
4. The tips of the central screw should not just that's the surface of the lens or mirror.

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