FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL,

CUTTACK

PHYSICS PROJECT
Session: 2024-25
A Project Report On
“To Find the Refractive Index of Water, Oil Using a Plane Mirror and An
Equiconvex Lens and An Adjustable”

Submitted by MAYANK MUDULI

Class-XII(Science)
Regd No. (CBSE)-B/2/25/15360/0296
Under the Guidance of
Mr. Pritam Pattanaik
Mr. Debabrata Nayak
PGT(Physics)
 FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CUTTACK

Declaration

I hereby declare that the project work entitled “To Find the Refractive

Index of Water, Oil Using a Plane Mirror and An Equiconvex Lens and

An Adjustable” submitted to Department of Physics, Freedom

International School is prepared by me

MAYANK MUDULI
Class-XII (Science)
 FREEDOM INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, CUTTACK
Certificate
This is to certify that MAYANK MUDULI, student of class-XII (Sci) has
successfully prepared the report on the project entitled “To Find the
Refractive Index of Water, Oil Using a Plane Mirror and An
Equiconvex Lens and An Adjustable” under the guidance of Mr.
Pritam Pattanaik & Mr. Debabrata Nayak (PGT, Physics).

The report is the result of his effort & endeavors. This report is
found worthy of acceptance as final project report for the
subject physics of class XII (Sci).

Signature of Physics Teacher Signature of External Examiner

------------------------------------ ------------------------------------

Signature of Principal
-----------------------------

Acknowledgement
 I would like to express a deep sense of thanks and gratitude my project

guide for guiding me immensely through the course of the project. He

always evinced keen interest in my project. His constructive advice &

constant motivation have been responsible for the successful completion

of his project.

My sincere thank goes to our principal Mr. Gangadhar Behura for his co-

ordination in extending every possible support for the completion of this

project.

Last but not the least, I would like to thank all those who had helped

directly or indirectly towards the completion of this project.

MAYANK MUDULI

Class-XII (Sci)

Table of Contents
Aim of Project
Introduction

Theory

Apparatus Required

Procedure

Conclusion

 Bibliography
Aim Of Project
To determine the refractive index of water and oil using a
plane mirror, an equiconvex lens, and an adjustable apparatus.

INTRODUCTION
THE REFRACTIVE INDEX OF A MATERIAL DESCRIBES HOW
LIGHT BENDS WHEN IT PASSES THROUGH IT, AND IT IS
DEFINED AS THE RATIO OF THE SPEED OF LIGHT IN A
VACUUM TO THE SPEED OF LIGHT IN THE MATERIAL. IN THIS
EXPERIMENT, WE AIM TO DETERMINE THE REFRACTIVE
INDICES OF WATER AND OIL USING A PLANE MIRROR, AN
EQUICONVEX LENS, AND AN ADJUSTABLE SETUP.

By measuring the focal length of the lens in air and then in

water or oil, we can observe how the refractive index of the
medium affects the focal length. This allows us to calculate
the refractive index of the liquids based on the relationship
between focal length and refractive index. The experiment
provides a simple way to study light behaviour in different
media and the practical applications of optics.
THEORY
The refractive index of a medium is a measure of how much light bends as it passes through
the material. 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

When light travels from one medium to another, such as from air to water or oil, its speed
changes, which causes it to bend at the interface between the two media. This bending of
light is described by Snell’s Law, which relates the angle of incidence (θ₁) and the angle of
refraction (θ₂) to the refractive indices of the two media:

n₁ sin θ₁ = n₂ sin θ₂

In this experiment, we will use the lens formula to calculate the refractive index of water and
oil. The lens formula for a thin lens is given by:

1/f=1/v-1/u

Where:

 f is the focal length of the lens,

 v is the image distance (distance from the lens to the image),
 u is the object distance (distance from the lens to the object).

When a lens is placed in a medium with a refractive index different from air, the focal length
of the lens will change. By measuring the focal length of the lens in air and in the medium
(water or oil), we can calculate the refractive index of the medium using the formula:

n = fₐ / fₘ

Where:

 fₐ is the focal length in air,

 fₘ is the focal length in the medium (water or oil).

This relationship allows us to determine the refractive index of the liquid by comparing the
change in the focal length when the lens is immersed in the liquid versus air.
Apparatus Required

 Plane mirror

 Equiconvex lens

 Adjustable lens holder

 Ruler or measuring tape

 Water and oil

 Optical bench (optional)

 Protractor or angle measurement device

 Light source (such as a laser or a bright point source)

Procedure
 Set up the apparatus: Place the plane mirror at one end of the
optical bench and position the equiconvex lens at the other end.

 Adjust the light source: Position the light source so that it

illuminates the lens, and the light passes through the medium (water
or oil) placed between the lens and the mirror.

 Measure focal length in air: First, place the lens in air (without
any liquid medium) and adjust the lens until a sharp image is formed
on a screen. Measure the object and image distances and calculate the
focal length of the lens using the lens formula.

 Measure focal length in water or oil: Now, carefully fill a

container with the liquid (water or oil) and place the lens in the liquid.
Repeat the procedure to focus the lens and determine the image
position. Measure the object and image distances again to calculate
the focal length of the lens in the medium.

 Calculate the refractive index: Using the measured focal lengths

for air and the medium, apply the formula n = f air/f medium to calculate

the refractive index of water or oil.

Observation
 The focal length of the lens in water or oil will be different
from the focal length in air due to the change in the speed
of light within the medium.
 As the refractive index increases, the focal length of the
lens decreases, because light slows down more in the
denser medium.

Conclusion
By comparing the focal lengths of the lens in air and the
medium (water or oil), you can determine the refractive
index of the medium. This method relies on the principle
of refraction and the lens formula, which relates the
refractive index to the lens's focal length.

Precautions
1. Measure distances accurately.
2. Keep the lens aligned.
3. Ensure a stable setup.
4. Focus the image clearly.
5. Fully submerge the lens without air bubbles.
6. Maintain constant temperature.
7. Use consistent lighting.
8. Handle equipment carefully.
Bibliography
1. NCERT
Physics – Part 1 & 2 for Class 12, National Council of Educational Research and
Training (NCERT), 2020.

2. NCERT
Laboratory Manual: Physics for Class 12, National Council of Educational Research
and Training (NCERT), 2020.

3. www.google.com

END OF PROJECT