EXPERIMENT 5
AIM 1 1
To find the focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs between u and v or between 𝑢 and 𝑣.
APPARATUS AND MATERIAL REQUIRED
An optical bench, two sharp-edged needle (pins), convex lens of less than 20 cm focal length, three
uprights (with clamps), index needle (may be a knitting needle), metre scale and spirit level.
P RINCIPLE
For image formed by a lens, relation of u, v and f is:
1 1 1
𝑓
= 𝑣− 𝑢
For real image by a convex lens:
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑣 𝑢
𝑢.𝑣
⟹ 𝑓= 𝑣+𝑢
P ROCEDURE
1. Approximate value of the focal length of the thin convex lens by focusing the image of a distant
object is measured.
2. Optical bench is placed on a platform horizontally using the spirit level.
3. A convex lens is clamped on an upright and mounted vertically almost near to the middle of the
optical bench.
4. two vertically mounted sharp pins are placed on both sides of the lens on the optical bench such
that distance of object pin from the lens must be slightly less than 2f.
5. Position of the real and inverted image is obtained on the other side of the lens above the image
pin.
6. Using the method of parallax, the position of the image pin is adjusted such that the image of the
object pin P coincides with the image pin.
7. The upright position of the object pin, convex lens and image pin on the optical bench are noted
in observation table.
8. The object pin P is moved closer to the optical centre O of the lens by 2 cm and the experiment is
repeated at least six sets of readings.
O BSERVATIONS
1. Approximate focal length of the convex lens = ... cm
2. Observation Table:
Object Image 𝒇
Lens 𝒖 𝒗 𝒖. 𝒗 Mean
Pin pin 𝟏⁄ 𝟏⁄
S.N. Upright = |𝒂– 𝒃| = |𝒂– 𝒄| 𝒖 𝒗 = 𝒇
Upright Upright 𝒖+𝒗
a (cm) cm cm cm cm
b (cm) c (cm)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
C ALCULATIONS
From graph of 1⁄𝑣 and 1⁄𝑢 :
Intercept OA (1⁄𝑓) on y-axis = ... cm–1
Intercept OB (1⁄𝑓) on x-axis = ... cm–1
𝑶𝑨 +𝑶𝑩
Mean focal length ( 𝑓 ) of the convex lens = 𝟐𝟐 𝟐
= ... cm.
R ESULT
The focal length of the given converging thin convex lens:
(i) from the observation table:
f = ... cm
(ii) From 1⁄𝑣 − 1⁄𝑢 graph:
f = ... cm.
P RECAUTIONS
1. The uprights supporting the optical elements should be rigid and mounted vertically.
2. The aperture of the lens should be small otherwise the image formed will not be distinct.
3. Eye should be placed at a distance more than 25 cm from the image needle.
4. An error may arise in the observations if the top of the optical bench is not horizontal and similarly
if the tips of pins and optical centre of the lens are not at the same horizontal level.
5. The tip of the inverted image of the object needle must touch the tip of the image needle and
must not overlap.
S OURCES OF ERROR
1. The uprights may not be vertical.
2. Parallax removal may not be perfect.
3. If the knitting needle or index rod for finding index correction is not sharp like a needle, its length
may not be accurately found on scale.
