DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL BANGALORE - EAST

PHYSICS LAB MANUAL CLASS X

NAME: SECTION:
 INDEX

S.No Experiment Page.no Date Teacher’s

Signature

1A To determine focal length of a given concave mirror 1-2

1B To determine the focal length of a given convex lens 3-4

2 To trace the path of a ray of light passing through a 5-6

rectangular glass slab

3 To trace the path of the rays of light through a glass prism 7-8

Studying the dependence of potential difference (V) across

4 a resistor on the current (I) passing through it and determine 9 - 11
its resistance. Also plotting a graph between V and I

Determination of the equivalent resistance of two resistors

5A when connected in series 12 - 13

Determination of the equivalent resistance of two resistors

5B when connected in parallel 14 - 15
Guidelines to Write Records:

Use BLUE INK only.

Diagrams to be drawn in pencil. Geometry instruments to be used. No free hand diagrams.

Table borders to be drawn using ruler and pencil. Content to be written in pen.

Page borders to be drawn on blank page

Date of experiment, tabular column and result to be entered after experiment is done.

BLANK PAGE RULED PAGE

Diagram, Observation (tabular column etc), Aim, Apparatus, Theory, Procedure, Result,
Calculations Precautions
 EXPERIMENT NO- 1(A)
To determine focal length of a given concave mirror

AIM

To determine focal length of a given concave mirror by obtaining the image of a distant object.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

A concave mirror, Measuring scale, Screen holder, Mirror holder, A White screen.

DIAGRAM

THEORY

When a parallel beam of light coming from a distant object such as tree or pole, is incident on the reflecting
surface of a concave mirror, then after reflection they will meet at a point, called principal focus (F).
‘f” is used to denote the distance between the pole P and the focus F of the concave mirror.

PROCEDURE

1. Select the distant object such as a tree or pole or the sun.

2. Mount the concave mirror in a mirror holder.
3. Adjust the concave mirror in such a way that the rays of light coming from the tree fall on its reflecting
surface.
4. Obtain a well-defined and sharp image on a white wall of the laboratory by moving the mirror backward
or forward.
5. Measure the distance between the wall and the concave mirror with the help of a measuring scale.
6. This will give approximate focal length of the mirror.
7. Repeat the experiments 2 times by selecting the different distant objects at different distances. Record
them in the observation table.
8. Find the mean value of the focal length for all the observations for different object.

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OBSERVATION TABLE

S.NO Distant object Position of Position of screen Difference between Focal length ‘f’ (cm)
mirror ‘A’ ‘B’ the position of the
screen and the mirror
(cm) (cm) (B-A)
(cm)

1 f 1=

2 f 2=

3 f 3=

CALCULATION

The mean value of the focal length ‘f ’of concave mirror:

𝑓1+𝑓2+𝑓3
Mean value of ‘f’ = = _______cm
3

RESULT

1. The focal length of the concave mirror is cm.

2. According to the sign conventions, the focal length of the concave mirror is negative.
Therefore, f = - cm.

PRECAUTIONS

1. The polished surface of the concave mirror and the distinct object should be facing each other.
2. The screen and the concave mirror stand should be parallel to the measuring scale. The mirror holder
along with the mirror should be perpendicular to the measuring scale.

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 EXPERIMENT NO- 1 (B)
To determine the focal length of a given convex lens

AIM

To determine the focal length of a convex lens by obtaining the image of a distant object.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

A convex lens, A measuring scale, A screen holder, A lens holder, A White screen.

DIAGRAM

THEORY

The rays coming from a distant object such as tree/sun travelling a large distance, can be considered as a
parallel beam of light. These rays after refraction through the convex lens converge at a point called focus (F2).
The distance between the lens (O) and the screen placed at the focus (F2) gives the approximate focal length (f)
of a convex lens.

PROCEDURE

1. Select a distant object such as a tree or a pole.

2. Mount the convex lens in the lens holder.
3. Keep the lens in a vertical position throughout the experiment.
4. Place the lens towards the selected distant object.
5. Keep a screen on the other side of the lens.
6. Move the lens forward and backward to get a sharp, real, and inverted image on the screen.
7. Measure the distance between the lens and the screen with the help of a measuring scale.
8. The distance between the screen and the convex lens gives the focal length of the convex lens
approximately.
9. Repeat the experiments 2 times by selecting the different distant objects at different distances. Record
them in the observation table.
10. Find the mean value of the focal length for all the observations for different objects.

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OBSERVATION TABLE

S.No Distant object Position of Position of Difference between the Focal length f (cm)
lens ‘L’ in screen M position of the screen
and lens (M-L)
(cm) (cm)
(cm)

1 f1 =

2 f2 =

3 f3 =

CALCULATION

The mean value of the focal length f of convex lens:

𝑓1+𝑓2+𝑓3
Mean value of ‘f’ = = _______cm
3

RESULT

1. The approximate focal length of the convex lens = _______cm.

2. According to the sign conventions, the focal length of the convex lens is positive.
Therefore, f = + cm.

PRECAUTIONS

1. While measuring the distance, meter scale should be kept horizontal and must be parallel to the ground.
2. Distance should be measured only when well defined sharp image of the distant object is obtained.

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 EXPERIMENT NO -2
To trace the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab

AIM

To trace the path of a ray of light passing through a rectangular glass slab for different angles of incidence.
Measure the angle of incidence, angle of refraction, angle of emergence, and interpret the result.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

A drawing board, 4-6 all pins, White sheet of paper, Rectangular glass slab, A protractor, A scale, A pencil,
Thumb pins.

DIAGRAM

THEORY

The refraction takes place at both air- glass interface and glass-air interface of a rectangular glass slab.
When the light ray incidents on air- glass interface obliquely it bends towards the normal.
The refracted ray incidents obliquely on the second parallel surface inside the rectangular glass slab that is
glass-air interface and after refraction it moves away from the normal. These refractions at both the surfaces
obey the laws of refraction.

PROCEDURE

1. Fix a white sheet on the soft drawing board using thumb pins.
2. Using a sharp pencil, draw the outline boundary of the glass slab by placing it at the center of the white
paper.
3. Let ABCD be the rectangular figure obtained by drawing.
4. Mark point E on AB and draw a perpendicular EN and label it as a normal ray.
5. Draw one angle of 45° with the help of protractor with EN. Fix pins at P and Q at 4-5 cm on the ray that
is obtained by the angle.
6. Place the glass slab on the rectangular figure ABCD.
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 7. To fix R and S, see through the glass slab of side CD, such that when seen through the glass slab, all the
pins P, Q, R, and S should lie in a straight line.
8. Remove the glass slab and all the four pins. Encircle all the prick of the four pins.
9. Join points R and S such that it meets CD at point F. Draw a perpendicular N’M’ to CD at point F.
10. Using a pencil, join the points E and F.
11. Measure the angles formed at AB and CD, i.e. the incident angle, refracted angle, and emergent angle.
12. The lateral displacement is obtained by extending the ray PQ in a dotted line which is parallel ray to FS.
13. Measure the lateral displacement.
14. Repeat the same procedure for angle 60°.

OBSERVATION TABLE

S.No Angle of incidence Angle of refraction Angle of emergence ∠i – ∠e

∠i = ∠r = ∠e =

1 45°

3 60°

RESULT

1. At the point of incidence the incident ray, refracted Ray and the normal to the air-glass interface, all lie
in the plane of paper.
2. Within experimental limits the angle of emergence and the angle of incidence are equal.
3. The emergent ray is parallel to the incident ray.
4. Emergent ray is laterally displaced.
5. When the light ray travels from optically rarer medium (air) to optically denser medium (glass) the angle
of refraction is less than the angle of incidence.
6. The refracted angle at the air-glass interface and the incident angle at the glass -air interface is found to
be equal.
7. From the observation table, it is clear that with the increase in angle of incidence, angle of refraction
also increases.

PRECAUTIONS

1. Glass slab must be Clean and should be free from air bubble. The base of all the pins should be placed in
a straight line.
2. Keep your eyes around the plane of paper and in line while observing the image and fixing the pins.

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 EXPERIMENT NO 3
To trace the path of the rays of light through a glass prism

AIM

To trace the path of the rays of light through a glass prism.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

A white sheet, Soft board, Thumb pins, 4-6 alpins, Prism, Pencil, Scale, Protractor, Drawing board.

DIAGRAM

EF- Incident ray FG-Refracted ray GH- Emergent ray

∠A – Angle of prism
∠i – Angle of incidence
∠r – Angle of refraction 1 2

∠e – Angle of emergence
∠δ – Angle of deviation.

THEORY

Let ABC be the principal section of a glass prism of refractive index ‘n’. The angle ‘A’ is the refracting angle of
the prism.
When a ray of light EF travels from rarer medium (such as air) is incident on a refracting surface AB, it gets
refracted and bends towards the normal to the plane of face AB. Here, ray of light is entering from air to glass
and refracted along FG.
At the second surface AC, the refracted light ray FG has entered from glass to air, i.e., denser to rarer medium
and emerges out along GH as it has bent away from the normal i.e., bends towards the base of prism shown in
the diagram.

PROCEDURE

1. Take a sheet of white paper and fix it on the drawing board with the help of a drawing pins.
2. Place a glass prism along its triangular base at middle on the paper. Draw its boundary. Remove the
glass slab and label the boundary as ABC.
3. Draw a thin dotted line XY along one of the refracting surfaces (say AB) as shown in the figure given
below.
4. Draw a normal NFN1, i.e. perpendicular to line AB at F. Also, draw a line EF making an angle 30° to
the normal. EF will act as the incident ray.
5. Place the glass prism back to its original position ABC.
6. Fix two alpins P1 and Q1 on line EF vertically by gently pressing their heads with thumb into the
drawing board about 6 cm apart from each other.
7. Look the images of P1 and Q1 from the other refracting face AC. The images of pins P1 and Q1 appear to
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 be at I1 and I2.
8. Fix two more alpins P2 and Q2 vertically such that the feet of the pins P2 and Q2 appear to be on the
same straight line as the feet of the images I1 and I2 respectively. Confirm it by moving the head slightly
to either side while looking them. All the pins P2, Q2 and image of P1 and Q1 would appear to move
together if they are on the same straight line.
9. Remove the prism and all alpins. Mark the position of feet P2 and Q2 and P1 and Q1 [like ]
10. Join the pin pricks P2 and Q2 and produce P2Q2 so that it meets the refracting side AC of the prism
boundary at G. The line HG represents the path of the emergent ray.
11. Join F and G. The line FG represents the path of the refracted ray.

OBSERVATIONS

1. The ray of light entering from air to glass at the first refracting surface bends towards the normal after
refraction. At the second refracting surface, the ray of light entering from glass to air bends away from
the normal.
2. Thus, the ray of light suffers two refractions on passing through a prism and hence deviates through a
certain angle from its original path.

Angle of incidence Angle of refraction Angle of emergence

∠i = ∠r1= ∠e =

60°

RESULT

The line EFGH represents the path of light through the prism.

PRECAUTIONS

1. The refracting faces of the glass prism should be smooth, transparent and without any air bubble or
broken edge. It must be triangular.
2. The distance between the alpins should be at least 6 cm. Always adjust the feet and not the heads of
alpins to lie along the same straight line.

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 EXPERIMENT NO- 4
Verification of Ohm’s Law

AIM

To Study the dependence of potential difference (V) across a resistor on the current (I) passing through it and
determine its resistance. Also plot a graph between V and I.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

Constantan wire, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Battery eliminator, Rheostat, One-way plug key, Connecting wires.

DIAGRAM

Fig. Circuit diagram for verification of ohm’s law

THEORY

The potential difference (V) across the ends of a given metallic wire in an electric circuit is directly proportional
to the current (I) flowing through it, provided its temperature remains the same. This is called Ohm’s law.

In other words,
𝑉
VαI or V = IR or R= 𝐼

The proportionality constant R is called the resistance offered by the conductor to the flow of electric current. If
a graph is plotted between the current (I) flowing through the conductor and the applied potential difference (V)
between its ends, it will be a straight line.

PROCEDURE

1. Set up the circuit arrangement as shown in circuit diagram or apparatus arrangement.

2. Note the least count of the ammeter and voltmeter.
3. Find, if any, zero error of the ammeter and voltmeter and record it in table ‘A’.
4. Plug the key/switch on the battery eliminator and adjust the rheostat by sliding its variable terminal till
the ammeter and the voltmeter show a reading.
5. Note the readings of ammeter and voltmeter in table ‘B’. Take out the plug or switch off the battery
eliminator for a moment.

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 6. Repeat the step 4 and 5 for the different values of current by varying the sliding terminal of rheostat.
7. Tabulate all the observations in the observation table ‘B’ and find the ratio for each set of observations.
Find the mean value of R.
8. Plot a graph by taking V along X-axis and I along Y-axis.

OBSERVATION TABLE

Table (A) for reading of ammeter and voltmeter

Ammeter (A) Voltmeter (V)

1. Range

2. Least count

Table (B) for reading of ammeter and voltmeter

Voltmeter reading ( V in Ammeter reading ( I in 𝑽

R= 𝑰
S.NO. volt) ampere)
(in ohm, Ω )

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

CALCULATION

1. Find the ratio of V and I for each corrected set of observation.

𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅 +𝑅
Mean value of R = 1 2 53 4 5 = _______Ω
2. Plot the graph between the current ‘I’ along X-axis and the current ‘V’ along Y-axis for V - I graph.
Find the slope of line.
For V - I graph,
The Resistance of the given wire = _______Ω

RESULT

1. Straight line nature of the V - I graph shows that potential difference across the conductor is directly
proportional to the current flowing through it, i.e., V α I.
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 This proves the Ohm's law graphically.
2. The resistance of constantan wire obtained from the graph is equal (or approximately equal) to the mean
calculated value of R. It also verifies the Ohm's law.
The resistance of the given wire =___________Ω

PRECAUTIONS

1. The ends of resistance wire must be connected across the terminals of voltmeter.
2. All connections should be kept tight.
3. Positive terminal of ammeter or voltmeter should be connected to positive terminal of the battery.

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 EXPERIMENT NO - 5(A)
Series Combination of Resistors

AIM

To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors connected in series combination.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

Two standard resistance coils, One – way Plug key, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Connecting wires, Cell or battery
eliminator, Low resistance Rheostat.

DIAGRAM

THEORY

If R1 and R2 are the values of two given resistors, and R1 and R2 are connected in series, the effective resistance
will be, RS = R1 + R2.
The values of R1, R2 and RS can be found out by using Ohm’s law, in experiment.

PROCEDURE

1. Note down the values of Resistor R1 and R2.

2. Now connect R1 and R2 in series as shown in figure.
3. Follow the steps of Ohm’s law to find the effective resistance RS of R1 and R2 in series. (Take 3 sets of
observations).
4. Record the observations in the table. Calculate the mean values of RS.
5. Find the sum of R1 and R2 and compare this sum with RS. You will find that Rs = R1+ R2.
6. This verifies the law of series combination of resistors.

OBSERVATION

Range of the ammeter = ___ - ____ A. Least count of the ammeter = _______ A.
Zero error of ammeter = __________ A. Range of the voltmeter = ___ - ___V.
Least count of the voltmeter = ______ V. Resistance of first resistor, R1 = ________ Ω.
Resistance of second resistor, R2 = ____ Ω.

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OBSERVATION TABLE

Resistor No. of Voltmeter Ammeter V Mean value of

R = in ohm
I
used observatio Reading in Reading in Resistance(ohm)
ns volts(V) Ampere(I)

Rs = R1 + R2 B A+B+C
RS= =
3

CALCULATION

By experiment, effective resistance (Rs) = ______ Ω.

By calculation, effective resistance Rꞌs = R1 + R2 = _____Ω.
Difference in both the values = Rs – Rꞌs = ________ Ω.

RESULT

The value of effective resistance Rs = ________Ω.

Within the limits of experimental error, the calculated value and experimental value of effective resistance are
equal.
Thus, the law of series combination of resistor is verified.

PRECAUTIONS

1. A low resistance rheostat should be used in the circuit to obtain a large variation in current.
2. Thick copper connecting wires should be used in the circuit.
3. The voltmeter should be connected in parallel to the combination of resistors.

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 EXPERIMENT NO – 5(B)
Parallel combination of Resistors

AIM

To determine the equivalent resistance of two resistors connected in parallel combination.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

Two standard resistance coils, One – way Plug key, Ammeter, Voltmeter, Connecting wires, Cell or battery
eliminator, Low resistance Rheostat.

DIAGRAM

THEORY

If R1 and R2 are the value of the two given resistors, then their equivalent resistance, when they are connected in
parallel, would be given by
1 1 1 𝑅1𝑅2
= 𝑅1 + 𝑅2 OR RP = 𝑅1+𝑅2
𝑅𝑃

The value of R1, R2 and RP can be found out by using Ohm’s law.

PROCEDURE

1. Note down the vales of Resistor R1 and R2.

2. Now connect R1 and R2 in parallel as shown in figure.
3. Follow the steps of Ohm’s law to find the effective resistance RP of R1 and R2 in parallel. (Take 3 sets of
observations)
4. Record the observations in the table. Calculate the mean values of RP.
5. Find the sum of 1/R1 and 1/R2 and compare this with 1/RP. You will find that

This verifies the law of parallel combination of resistors.

OBSERVATION

Range of the ammeter = ___ - ____ A. Least count of the ammeter = __________A.
Zero error of ammeter = __________A. Range of the voltmeter = ___ - _____V.
Least count of the voltmeter = __________V. Resistance of first resistor, R1 = __________ Ω.
Resistance of second resistor, R2 = __________ Ω.
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OBSERVATION TABLE

Resistor No. of Voltmeter Ammeter Mean value of

used observations Reading in Reading in V Resistance(ohm)
R = I in ohm
volts(V) Ampere(I)

𝑅1 𝑅2 A+B+C
RP = 𝑅 B RP = =
1 + 𝑅2 3

CALCULATION

By experiment, effective resistance (RP) = ______ Ω.

By calculation, effective resistance is (Rꞌp) = ______ Ω.
Difference in both the values = RP - RꞌP = _______Ω.

RESULT

The value of effective resistance RP is _______Ω.

Within the limits of experimental error, the calculated value and experimental value of effective resistance are
equal. Thus, the law parallel combination of resistor is verified.

PRECAUTIONS

1. A low resistance rheostat should be used in the circuit to obtain a large variation in current.
2. A thick copper connecting wire should be used in the circuit.
3. The voltmeter should be connected in parallel to the combination of resistors.

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