SREE NARAYANA VIDYA MANDIR

SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL

Talap, Kannur-670 002.

PHYSICS
PROJECT REPORT

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PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
 TOPIC :
LIQUID LENS
 GROUP MEMBERS

1 : AADITHYA PRAMOD AC

2 : ABHIJITH KUMAR POLA

3 : ABHIMANUE SHYJU

4 : ABHINAND TV

5 : ABHINAV KAPPADAN

6 : ABHIRAM M
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This project on ‘Liquid lens ’ is an effect of our
teamwork.

We would like to thank our Physics teachers, Mrs.

Preethi Muralidharan and Mrs. Manona PP for
providing this opportunity and guiding us throughout
this project work.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude

towards our Respected Principal Smt. Smitha
Srinivasan and Educational Officer Smt. Deepika
Jaidas for their support by permitting the use of the
Resources of the school for completing the project.

We also like to convey our special gratitude to our

laboratory staff Mrs. Sahana, teachers of our school,
parents for their valuable guidance.
Last but not the least, we thank each of our group
members and friends for their valuable support and
co-operation in successfully completing this project.
 INDEX

SreeNarayanaVidyaMandir Senior Secondary School Page 6

 INTRODUCTION
Optical systems often require multiple lenses to achieve optimal
performance, a process that can be complex and time-
consuming. One effective approach to lens combination involves
treating the image produced by each lens as the object for the
subsequent lens. While this method can yield accurate results, it
may not always be practical. Liquid lens systems present a novel
solution for determining the optical constants of lenses and
measuring the refractive indices of various liquids.

The principle behind liquid lenses lies in their ability to create

magnification within a compact space. The focal length of a liquid
lens is influenced by the curvature of the liquid's surface, which is
particularly effective when using water, as it naturally forms a
bubble shape when in contact with materials like glass. This
property makes water an ideal candidate for liquid lens
construction. To create a liquid lens, a transparent liquid is
sandwiched between two clear pieces of plastic or glass, with
glycerin also being a viable fluid choice. The surface profile of
the liquid ultimately determines the focal length of the lens and
its ability to focus light.

When an object is placed at the focal point of a liquid lens with a

mirror positioned behind it, the resulting image appears at the
same focal point. In the case of extended objects, the image
produced is inverted but retains the same size as the object. This
characteristic facilitates the use of liquid lenses to accurately
determine the refractive index of a fluid. By knowing the focal
length of the liquid lens in conjunction with that of a convex lens,
one can effectively estimate the refractive index of the fluid.
 LIQUID LENS
AIM
To determine:-
1. Optical constants of a convex lens
2. Refractive index of a liquid lens.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
Convex lens, Plane mirror, Glycerine, Retort stand, Spherometer,
Water, Meter scale, Lens stand, Clamp stand, Optical needle

THEORY
A liquid lens is an optical device that uses a liquid medium to
change its focal length. This project investigates the properties
and behavior of a liquid lens in combination with a glass convex
lens, focusing on their focal lengths and the underlying principles.

Focal Lengths of Lenses

Let:
- f1: Focal length of the glass convex lens
- f2: Focal length of the liquid lens
- F: Focal length of the combination of both lenses

The relationship governing the combined focal length is given by:

This equation illustrates how the individual focal lengths

contribute to the overall focal length of the lens system.

Liquid Lens as Plano-Concave Lens

The liquid lens is treated as a plano-concave lens, where:

- R1 = R: Radius of curvature of the convex surface
- R2 = ∞: Radius of curvature of the flat surface
Using the lens maker's formula:

Since R2 is infinite, this simplifies to:

Rearranging gives:

Where n is the refractive index of the liquid.

Refractive Index of the Liquid
From the derived focal length, we can express the refractive
index n as:

Determining the Radius of Curvature

The radius of curvature R of the convex lens can be calculated
using the formula:

Where:
- l: Average distance between the legs of the spherometer
- h: Difference in readings of the spherometer when placed on
the convex lens and then on a plane mirror
 LIQUID LENS
PROCEDURE
* To find the focal length of the convex lens The convex lens is
placed over a plane mirror which is kept horizontally. A bright
pointer O is arranged horizontally on the clamp of a retort stand,
vertically above the lens. Looking from above, the pointer is
moved up or down until the pointer and its inverted image
coincides without parallax. The distance a and b of the pointer
from the top of the lens are measured. The average
distance[a+b]/2 gives the focal length f of the convex lens. The
experiment is repeated and the mean focal length is calculated.

* To find the focal length of the liquid lens The lens is then
removed, a few drops of the given liquid placed on the plane mirror.
The lens is placed on it with the marked first surface of the lens in
contact with the liquid, The liquid lens forms a plano- concave lens.
The pointer is arranged horizontally above the lens. Looking from
above, the pointer is moved up or down until the pointer and its
inverted image coincides without parallax. The distances a and b
are measured as before. The average distance[a+b]/2 gives the
focal length f2 of the combination of the convex lens and liquid lens.
The focal length f2 is calculated from the equation

* Repeat the experiment by keeping the second surface on water

and determine f2 (glycerine)

* To find the focal length f2 for glycerine few drops of glycerine is

added on a mirror. Lens is placed upon it such that it formed a
plano-concave lens. The pointer is arranged horizontally to get a
coinciding object and image without parallax. Distances a and
bare noted as before. Focal length is calculated by using formula
f2= (a+b)/2
OBSERVATIONS& CALCULATIONS
1-Focal Length of lens
SN DISTANCE OF NEEDLE FROM FOCAL LENGTH (CM)
NO
TOP OF TOP OF MIRROR(CM)
LENS(CM)

1 12.8 13.5 13.15

2 12.9 13.6 13.25

Mean f1= 13.2cm

2-Focal Length of Combination 1

Lens and water
SN NO DISTANCE OF POINTER FROM FOCAL LENGTH (CM)
TOP OF LENS(CM) TOP OF MIRROR(CM)

1 19.4 19.8 19.6

2 19.5 20 19.75

Mean F= 19.675cm

To Find Radius of curvature

Plane surface (h1)

Sl.NO PSR(mm) CSR(mm) Total(mm)

1 10 0.05 10.05

2 10 0.10 10.10

3 10 0.13 10.13
Convex surface (h2)
Sl.No PSR (mm) CSR(mm) Total (mm)
1 11 0.45 11.45

2 11 0.50 11.50

3 11 0.40 11.40

h2-h1= 1.36mm

To find Radius of curvature

l2 h
R 
6h 2
10.89 0.136
R 
6 * 0.136 2
R=13.4cm

Combination

Lens and glycerine

SN NO Distance of needle Distance of needle F=(a+b)/2
from lens(cm) from mirror(cm) (cm)

1 23.5 24.4 23.95

2 23.6 24.5 24.05

Mean F= 24cm
To find f2(water ) and f2(glycerine)

1-Water
f 1* F
f 2( water ) 
f 1 F

13.2 *19.675
f2
13.2 19.675
f2=40.1cm

We have
R
n  1 
f 2
13 . 4
n  1
40 . 1
n= 1+ (0.334)
n= 1.334
Ie refractive index of water

Similarly for glycerine

13.2 * 24
f2
13.2  24
f2=29.1cm

13 . 4
n 1
29 . 1
n= 1+ (0.46)
n=1.46
Ie refractive index of glycerine
 SOURCES OF ERROR

 Parallax error may occur when you view the

screen or the image from a wrong angle.
Always ensure you're viewing measurements
from the correct perspective.

 Clean all components (lenses, beakers, etc.)

before starting the experiment to ensure no
dust or fingerprints interfere with light
passing through.

 Lack of precision in data collection can introduce

cumulative errors in the result
 PRECAUTIONS

Be cautious when handling lenses, glassware,

and any other fragile materials to avoid breakage.

When measuring focal length, distances, or

angles, ensure the measurements are precise
using a ruler or micrometer. Even small errors in
measurement can significantly affect the accuracy
of your results.

Ensure that all measurements are made at eye

level to avoid parallax errors. Looking at the scale
from different angles may give errors.
 RESULT

 Refractive index of water(theoretical)=1.33

 Refractive index of water(experimental)=1.334

 Refractive index of glycerine(theoretical)=1.46

 Refractive index of glycerine(experimental)=1.46
 CONCLUSION

Through this experiment the value of refractive

index of water and glycerine has been found. In
conclusion, the refractive index is a fundamental
concept in optics that governs how light behaves
when it passes through different materials. It helps
us understand a wide range of optical phenomena,
from the simple bending of light rays in lenses to
the advanced principles behind fiber optics. Its
practical applications have revolutionized various
industries, making it an indispensable concept in
the world of science and technology.
 BIBLIOGRAPHY
www.wikipedia.com
NCERT TEXTBOOK CLASS 12 PHYSICS
www.scienceinfo.com
www.google.com