1.
6 Focal Length of a Convex Lens
Aim: To find the focal length of a convex lens by displacement method.
Apparatus: Optical bench & Convex lenses.
Theory : f = ( D² - d² / 4D ) = (D + d) (D – d) / 4D
Where D = Distance between object and its image.
d = distance between the positions of the lens for the same D.
f = focal length of convex lens
Diagram:-
Procedure :
1. The set up the experiment as per shown in diagram.
2. Fix two pins P and Q at a distance greater than 4f such that D is a whole number.
3. Mount the lens between P and Q in such a position that an inverted and diminished image of one pin
is seen from other side. Let the lens be more nearer to Q than P.
4. To remove parallex- look from this side of Q. Hold the lens in such a position that the image of the
pin P and the pin Q appear backwards. Note the positions of lens at L1. Slightly disturb the position
of the lens and again remove the parallex. Repeat this three times.
5. Keeping P and Q fixed, move the lens to another position (more near to P than Q), when we get an
enlarged and inverted image of P seeing from the same side. Remove the parallex between Q and
image of P by moving the lens forwards. The parallex removal may not be very accurate as the
image is enlarged, so that get accurate position L2 , it is advised to keep the eye on the side of P and
remove parallex between image of pin Q and pin P. Note the position of lens at L 2, Disturb the
position of lens and again remove parallex. Repeat this three times.
6. For second set keep P fixed and change Q by 5 or 10 cm and repeat the above procedure for finding
the positions of lens at L1 and L2. At least take such three sets.
7. Find D, i.e. PQ and d i.e. L1 , L2 for every set.
8. Find the bench correction between P and Q and determine the corrected value of D. Calculate focal
length f separately for every set and find mean f.
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Observation :
a) Actual length of Optical bench = __________________cm
b) Apparent length of Optical bench (when held between P and Q) = _________________cm
c) Bench correction for D = (a-b) = _________________cm
Table - I
Sr. No. Position Position First position of lens L1 when Second position of lens L2 when
of pin P of pin Q diminished image of P is seen from diminished image of Q is seen
the side of Q from the side of P
I II III Mean I II III Mean
Table – II
Sr. No. Observed Corrected ( D+d ) ( D−d )
D = PQ D f=
d = L1L2 D+d D-d 4D
Result : Focal length of convex lens f = __________cm. = ___________m.
Precautions:
1. This method is not being used preferably for a thick lens of short focal length.
2. Always remove parallex between diminished image and the pin.
Questions:
1. Why is this method called displacement method?
2. How does d depend upon D?
3. When shall we get d=0?
4. Why should be D>4f?
5. Why should parallex be remove between diminished image and pin?
6. Why cannot this method be used for a lens of large focal length?
7. Why bench correction not determined for d but only for D?
