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Physics Project

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5 views9 pages

Physics Project

Uploaded by

chanikran404
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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FINDING THE

REFRACTIVE INDEX OF
WATER AND OIL USING A
PLANE MIRROR AND A
CONVEX LENS
INDEX
S.No Contents Page no
1. Introduction
2. Aim
3. Theory
4. Apparatus/Materials required
5. Formula
6. Procedure
7. Observations
8. Diagram
9. Calculation
10. Result
11. Sources of error
12. Photograph
13. Bibliography
INTRODUCTION

In optics, the refractive index (n) is a measure of how much light bends, or
refracts, when transitioning between two media. It is defined as the ratio of
the speed of light in a vacuum (c) to the speed of light in the medium (v):

n = c/v
The refractive index determines how light behaves at the interface of two
substances, influencing reflection, refraction, and dispersion. A higher
refractive index indicates slower light travel and greater bending. For
example, the refractive index of air is approximately 1, while water has an
index of 1.33, causing noticeable light refraction

AIM

To find the refractive index of water and oil using a plane mirror and a
convex lens.

THEORY
When a convex lens is placed in a medium, the focal length of the lens
changes due to the change in the refractive index of the medium. The
relationship between the refractive index of the medium and the focal
lengths is given by:

nmedium= fair/fmedium
where:

nmedium is the refractive index of the medium (water or oil)


fair is the focal length of the lens in air
fmedium is the focal length of the lens in the medium (water or oil)

In air, the lens has a certain focal length (fa) When the lens is immersed in
water or oil, the focal length increases because the bending of light
becomes weaker in the denser medium. The refractive index of the
medium can be determined by the ratio of the focal lengths in air and the
medium.

APPARATUS/MATERIALS REQUIRED

Needle, plane mirror, convex lens, oil, water, clamp stand and meter scale

FORMULA

nmedium= fair/fmedium

where:

nmedium is the refractive index of the medium (water or oil)


fair is the focal length of the lens in air
fmedium is the focal length of the lens in the medium (water or oil)
PROCEDURE
1. Measuring the Focal Length in Air (fa):

1. Place the plane mirror flat on a table.

2. Place the convex lens on the plane mirror, ensuring its curved surface
faces upward.

3. Suspend the needle vertically above the lens using a clamp stand, and
adjust its position such that it is at the approximate focal point of the
lens.

4. Move your eye to a position where you can see the needle's image
formed by the lens. Adjust the height of the needle until there is no
parallax between the needle and its image.

o No parallax condition: The needle and its image do not shift


relative to each other when you move your eye sideways.

5. Measure the distance between the lens and the needle using the meter
scale. This distance is the focal length (fa) in air.

2. Measuring the Focal Length in Water (fwater):


1. Fill a transparent container with water.
2. Submerge the plane mirror and the lens in the water, ensuring the lens
remains centered above the mirror.

3. Repeat the procedure: Suspend the needle above the lens, and adjust
its height to achieve the no parallax condition.

4. Measure the distance between the needle and the lens. This distance is
the focal length (fwater) in water.

3. Measuring the Focal Length in Oil (foil):


1. Empty the water and replace it with oil in the container.

2. Repeat the steps above to find the focal length (foil) of the lens in oil.

OBSERVATION

Medium Focal Length in Focal Length in Refractive Index


Air (fa) Medium (fm) (n)

Water 22.0 cm 29.2 cm 1.33


Oil 22.0 cm 30.5 cm 1.44
DIAGRAM
RESULT

The refractive index of water and oil calculated using the observed focal
lengths of the lens in different media are:

 Refractive index of water: nwater= 1.33

 Refractive index of oil: noil= 1.44

SOURCES OF ERROR

1. Ensure proper positioning of the eye at the observation point and


adjust the needle and mirror carefully to eliminate any parallax error.

2. Carefully align the lens and mirror before taking measurements and
ensure they are stable throughout the experiment.

3. Use a precise meter scale and take multiple measurements to ensure


accuracy.

4. Ensure that the lens and mirror are free from air bubbles before taking
measurements.
PHOTOGRAPHS

BIBLIOGRAPHY

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/immunology-and-
microbiology/refraction-index

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