1,3 TO FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH OF A CONVEX LENS BY PLOTING GRAPHS BETWEEN

1 1
u AND v OR BETWEEN AND

Lens formula gives relationship between object distance (),image distance ()and focal length (). A graph
l/u and l/v is a straightline and intercepts of the graph gives the value of 1/f.

Aim
convex by plotting graphs between u and v or between and
To find the focal length of a lens

Materials Required
•A convex lens of small focal length
•Two needles •Three uprights
• Optical bench
•Knitting needle •Metre scale
• Clamp
PHYSICS-12 111
PRACTICAL SKILLS IN
 Theory
Focal lenth of a convex lens is calculated by using the fornula:

or,

Approximate focal length of convex lens can befound by using a distant object. Theimaye of distant
at focus of a convex lens, oject

Procedure

Determining Approximate Focal

Length of Convex Lens
Sclect a distant objcctwhich is in bright
light, e.g, a tall trec or an clectric pole.
• Kcep the lens in such a way that you 2F
get an image of the distant 2F Inag9
object on a Object
Screen or wall. needle

• Mcasure the distance between the lens

and screen.This give approximate
vwill

focal length of the given Setup to determine the focal length of convex
convex lens. lens

Setting Up the Apparatus

Sclect arigid table. Check whether the table is in horizontal
position or not.
Keep the optical bench on the table.
Place threc uprights on
the optícal bench.
• Keep the convcx lens on the
míddle upright.
Keep the object needle on the
left side of the
and a half tímes the convex lens. The distance between them should be
approximate focal length. about Gne

at
• Keep the image ncedle on the right síde
ofthe convex Jens. The distance between them
two times the approximate focal should be at moretham
length,

Determination Object and Image Distance

of
• Adjust the object necdle and image
nccdle so that you get zreal,
inverted and magnífied image beyond
The image nccdle and imageshould 2F.
be coincídent; as shown
• Ensure that the tip of the ímageneedle touches the típ ofthe image.
íin figure.

Adjust the imageneedle so that there would be no

parallax eror.
Apply index correctíon by usíng a
horizontal needle. Thís is done to
ensure that the tips of the
imagenecdle, image and O of the lens; all lie on the object needle.
same líne.
Determination of Focal Length
• Focal length of the gíven convex lens can
be calculated by using the following
formula:

f= y+u
• Find the focal length for each set of observatíons for u and v.
• Plot a graph between u and v or 1/u and 1/v by taking them
along X-axis and Y-axis
find the value off. respectively. Fromgraph

Observations
Least cOunt of meter scale = cm.
Approxímate focal length of convex lens = cm.
Index corrcction, e actual distance- observed dístance =
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PRACTICAL SKILLS IN PHYSCS-12
 S. Lens Object Image Observed Correeted Observed Corrected
No. L (cm)
needle
A (cm)A(cm)
needle
u'L-A (cm) VL-A (cm) 1/u1/yS (cm)

2
3.

Graph between u and

i
scale: Graph between 1/u and 1/v

axis ;1cm cm. Scale:

axis:1 cm cm. -axis :1cm = cm B
yaxis :1 cm =
cm

v
(cm)

1h(cm
EX X'
u (cm) 1/u (cm)

u Vs v graph 1/uVs 1/v graph

Calculations
Focal length:

f= vtu
Mean of focal length:

...cm
f 4
Calculation of f from graph between u and v
• Choose a suitablebut the same scale to represent u along X-axis and v along Y-axis.

Plot the graph for different values ofu and v.

e Draw a line OA making an angle of 45° with either axis.

• Draw AB and AC perpendicular to X-axis and Y-axis respectively.

Coordinates of point A must be (42)

So,AB =AC =2f or 0C =OB = 2f

OB
2
Mean value of f= cm.

.
Calculation of

. Choose a
f from graph between
suitable

Plot the graph for different values

but some scale to represent
of 1/u
1/v and 1/u

1/u along

and 1/v.
X-axis and 1/v along Y-axis.

Graph is a

Measure the distance

straight line and cut

OA and OB, So
the two axes
1 11
OA
at OA and OB

OB
(which are intercepts on axes).

Mean value off= cm.

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PRACTICAL SKILLS IN PHYSICS-12
A Precautions
bsoad
• Properly level the optical bench.
(tr3)
The uprights should be rigid and should be mounted vertically on the optical bench.
• The aperture of convex lens should be small.
The tip of image should not overlap with the tip of image needle.
• The of the needles should be in line with the
tip optical centre of convex lens.

• Don't keep your eye too close while measuring object distance or image distance.
Use a horizontal measure object distance and image distance.
needle to correctly
• The experiment should be conducted in a well lit room.