OBJECTIVE
To find the refractive indexes of (a) water (b) oil using a plane mirror,
an equi-convex lens, and an adjustable object needle.
INTRODUCTION
In optics, the refractive index (a.k.a. refraction index) of an optical
medium is a dimensionless number that indicates the light-bending ability
of that [Link] refractive index determines how much the path of light
is bent or refracted when entering a material This is described by Snell's
law of refraction, n₁Sinθ1=n₂Sinθ2 entering a material.
Where.
θ₁=Angles of incidence
θ₂=Angle of refraction,
Respectively of a ray crossing the interface between two
medirefractive indices
n1and n2
MATERIALS REQUIRED
1) Convex lens
2) liquids (water and glycerol or oil)
3) clamp stand
4) plumb line meter scale
5) plane mirror
6) Object needle
7) spherometer
THEORY
Let's add small amount of water on a flat, plane surface and place a
convex lens over it. This forms a plano-concave lens of water because of
water between the lower surface of convex lens and plane mirror.
Let, f1 and f2 are the focal lengths of water lens and convex lens
respectively, then focal length of the combination is,
1/F = 1/f1+ 1/f2
The focal length of the plano-concave lens is.
1/f1 = 1/F - 1/f2 ........(1)
From lens maker's formula
1/f1 = (μ-1) [1/R1-1/R2] = (μ-1) 1/R
∴ R1 = R and R2 = ∞ for water lens
∴ The refractive index of water is,
μ = 1 + R/f1 ........(2)
(where 'R' is the radius of curvature of the concave surface of the
plano-concave lens). The radius of curvature of the lens is.
R = l2/6h + h/2 ........(3)
PROCEDURE
(a) For focal length of convex lens:
1. Find the rough focal length of the convex lens.
2. Place a plane mirror on the horizontal base of the iron
stand and then a convex lens on the plane mirror.
3. Hold the needle in the clamp stand and adjust its position
on the stand such that there is no parallax between tip of
the needle and its image.
4. Measure distance from the tip and upper surface of the
lens by using a plumb line and half meter scale. Also
measure the distance from the tip of needle and upper
surface of the mirror. Take the mean of the two
readings. This means distance will be equal to the focal
length of the convex lens.
(b) For focal length of the combination:
1. Put a few drops of the water on the plane mirror and
put the convex lens over it with its same face above as
before. The water spreads in a form of layer and acts
like a Piano-concave lens.
2. Repeat the steps 3 and 4 to determine the equivalent focal
length of the combination.
3. Record the observation.
4. Repeat the steps 5, 6, 7 for other transparent liquid (oil).
(c) For radius of curvature of convex lens surface:
1. Determine the pitch and the least count of the spherometer.
2. Remove the convex lens and dry it completely.
Put the spherometer on this lens surface.
3. All the three legs of the spherometer should be
placed symmetrically on the lens and adjust the
central screw tip to touch the surface of the lens.
4. Remove the spherometer from the surface of the lens and
place on the plane mirror surface and record the reading.
5. Repeat the steps 10 and 11 three times.
6. Obtain the impressions of the three legs of the
spherometer on a paper and mark them and their
average distance.
’1 -*- ’2 -*- ’3
3
DIAGRAM
30”
Fig: (a) To find focal length of convex lens
(b) For the length of legs AB, BC, CA of
spherometer
OBSERVATION
• Pitch of the spherometer = l cm
• Least count of the spherometer = 0.01 cm
• Distance between the Legs:
(1) AB =3cm
(2) BC=3 cm
(3) CA=3cm
Table for Calculation of ‘h’
No. of
Final h
Initial reading complet
reading of Additional = n Mean”
S. of the C.S. on e
the C.S.C . S. div. x pitch h”
No the convex rotation
on glass moved +m (cm)
lens (a) s
slab x L.
(n)
C
1 62 0 6.5 55.5 0.555
0.577
2 64 0 4 60 0.6
To Measure focal length ‘f of Convex Lens
Distance of Needle tip
from
Area Tip of the Upper
between upper surface surface of Focal
Mean
lens and S. No of the convex the plane Length
plane lens (cm) mirror (cm) X = X1+X2/2 (cm)
tilted X1 X2
1 30.5 31 30.72
Without
liquid 36 7 33.85
2 37.2 36.95
1 31.4 31.8 31.6
With
water 34.7
2 37.5 38.1 37.8
1 9.4 96 9.5
With Oil
2 10.4 10.6 10.5 10
CALCULATION
Mean distance between two legs
Mean of h is equal to
To find the radius of curvature of the convex lens
Measurement of refractive indices of water and oil
1. With the water between the convex Len and the plane mirror
2. With oil between the convex Len and plane mirror
RESULT
the refractive index of the water is
the refractive index of the oil is
PRECAUTION
1. The plane mirror should be clean and fully shining surface.
2. The liquid taken should be transparent.
3. The parallax should be removed tip to tip.
4. The eye should be at a distance about 30 cm from the needle
while removing the parallax.
5. Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that its layer
should be thick.
6. The legs of the spherometer should be vertical.
7. The center leg of the spherometer should turn in one
direction only.
SOURCES OF ERROR
1. Liquid may not be quite transparent.
2. The parallax may not be fully removed.
3. The spherometer legs should be placed symmetrical
on the surface of the convex lens.
4. The tip of the central screw should not just touch the
surface of lens or mirror
