Grnd the focal

focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs between u andv or between

M:To find the
and
APPARATUUS

An optical bench with three uprights (central upright fixed, two outer uprights with lateral
lens with lens holder, two optical needles, (one thin, one thick) a knitting needle
wement), a convex

metre scale.
and a half

FHEORY
The relation between u, U and f for a convex lens is,

1 - f - u-U
uU

UU

where, f= focallength of convex lens

u = distance of object needle from optical centre of the lens

U= distance of image needle from optical centre ofthe lens.

Hence, fcomes positive.
Note. According to sign-convention, u has negative value andv has positive value.

RAY DYÁGRAM
B

2F A F
2F
Image
Object Needle
Needle D
B

Fig. Focal length of convex lens.

PROSEDURE
To determine rough focal length
ount the concave mirror in mirror holder.
O Out in the onen and face the mirror towards distant tree or building
F o c a l L e 9

OBSERVATIONS

Datgh focal length of the given convex lens . Cm

Actual length
of the knitting needle X . . . CIm

Observed distance between the object needle and the lens

needle is placed between them
when knitting y= ..... CIm

Observed distance between the image needle and the

lens when knitting needle is placed between them Z *** Cm

tor the object distance u,

Index correction X - y . . . . . cm

Index correction for the image distance u, X-Z = ...... Cm

Table for u, v;u and

Position of Observed distance Corrected distance

Serial Lens Image OA =u OC=U u

No. of Object
needle needle
Obs. C
A
(Cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
(cm) (cm) (cm) (cm) (cm)
(2c) (3a) (3b) (4a) (4b) (5) (6)
(1) (2a) (2b)
1
2
3.

4.

5.

6
RESULT
The focal length of the given convex lens as determined from:
1. focal length, f= u-v
2. (u -

v) graph =.
cm

graph.C
and 4. (u-u) graph cm.

PRECAUTIONS
1. Tips of the object and image needles should lie at the same height as the centre of the lens.
2. Parallax should be removed from tip to tip by keeping eye at a distance at least
30 cm away from the needle.
3. The object needle should be placed at such a distance that only real, inverted image ofit is
formed.
4. Index correction for and should be
u v
applied.
SOURCES OF ERROR

1. The uprights may not be the vertical.

2. Parallax removal may not be perfect.