General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal

AAU, Department of physics

Length of Lenses

Experiment 9 Focal Length of Lenses

Abstract
This experiment is done to determine the focal length of a convex lens. We have gathered
measurements five times and get two clear images on each on different distances between the lamp
with object on face and the screen. The mean of the focal length we have got from each trial is
11.95± 4.68.

Equipements (Materials)
• Optical bench …………...........................................… 1
• A screen to form images .......................................…………… 1
• Convex lens ……………............................................................. 1
• Lamp with object on face (illuminated object) …………… 1
• Lens Holders …………...........................................................… 2
• Meter stick ……………............................................................... 1

Objective (purpose)
• To determine the focal length of a converging lens by finite object and image distance.

Theory (Introduction)
The experiment at its basis involved a convex lens, a light source to produce an image, and a
reflector (paper) to see the type of image formed, sharp or blurry. The experiment was used to
prove that when a beam of parallel rays to the principal axis of the convex lens pass through they
converge to a point called focal point. The distance from the focal point to the center of the lens is
1 1 1
known as the focal length. Represented by f in the formula: 𝑆 ′ + 𝑆 = 𝑓
where S’ is distance from the center of the ellipse (formed from the objects location to the image
formed) to the image formed and is distance of object from the center of the ellipse.

Taking the general distance between the object (Light source) and image (paper) to be D, and the
distance between the two focal points to be d. Now accounting for the fact that there are two focal
points in the ellipse, we get left with equations that are complements of each other: S1 = S’2; S2 =

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

S’1. This in turn gives rise to another equation subsisting the complements, which is: S’1 + S1 = D;
S’1 - S1 = d.

Combining them we get:

𝐷+𝑑 𝐷−𝑑
S’1 = 2
; S1= 2

If we substitute this into the first equation, we get:

𝐷 2 − 𝑑2
f= 4𝐷

Using this equation, we prove that the two sharp points (focal points) exist using the focal length.

Procedure

1. we set up the experiment by placing screen at distance D from the illuminated object as shown
in fig 9.1 below.

2. We placed the lens between the object and the screen where clear image appeared on the screen.
We noted the position of the lens stand.

3. Keeping the object and screen fixed, we moved the lens to second position where the lens
formed the well-focused image on the screen.

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

4. We repeated the above steps for five different values of D.

5. We tabulated the corresponding sets of D and d as shown below.

Analysis of the data table

S. No. D(cm) D2 d(cm) d2(cm2) D2-d2(cm2) 4D 𝐷2 −𝑑 2
𝑓= (cm)
(cm) 4𝐷

1 57.5 3306.25 24.3 590.5 2715.76 230 11.81

2 67.5 4556.25 36.7 1346.9 3209.36 270 11.88
3 77.5 6006.25 48.6 2362.0 3644.29 310 11.75
4 87.5 7656.25 57.9 3352.4 4303.84 350 12.30
5 97.5 9506.25 69.6 4944.2 4662.09 390 11.95
Mean (x̄) 77.5±7.1 6206.25± 47.4± 2519.2 3707.07± 310± 11.95± 4.68
1137.14 7.9 ±839.7 1413.46 28.4

Sample Calculations
• We can show the sample calculation using the last row data. The error caused by is on the
last row and on the 1st column is determined using the standard error formula. x represents
the mean data.

1 (𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥)2
√
𝑆𝐷 = ( ) ∗ ∑
𝑁 𝑁−1

(𝑥𝑖 −𝑥)2 1
𝑆𝐷 = √∑ = √𝑁2 ∗ √∑(𝑥𝑖 − 𝑥)2
𝑁 2 −𝑁 −𝑁

For this case we know, N=5. Thus, N2-N= 25-5= 20 =>

√𝑁 2 − 𝑁 = √20

1
SD=√20 ∗ √((57.5 − 77.5)2 + (67.5 − 77.5)2 + (77.5 − 77.5)2 + (87.5 − 77.5)2 + (97.5 − 77.5)2 )

SD=7.0710678 ͌7.1

➢ Finally, we can see that D=(77.5± 7.1) cm

• The second column is D2, in this part of the table we can calculate its value from the 1 st
column.
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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

D2=6206.25cm2

We can also calculate for error propagation using this data.

𝛿𝑧 𝛿𝑥
𝐼𝑓 𝑧 = 𝑥 𝑐 , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 =𝑐
𝑧 𝑥

In this case z=D2, c=2, & x=D thus

7.1
𝛿z = 2*6206.25*77.5=1137.145161 ͌ 1137.14

➢ Finally, we can see that D2= (6206.25 ± 1137.14) cm2

• Using the same procedure as the first part of the sample calculation we can calculate the
value of the standard deviation. d=(47.4± 7.9)cm
• We have shown the third column. Now, we will have to show the fourth column. It’s
similar to that of the second column such that,

7.9
𝛿z=2*2519.2* 47.4 = 839.733 ͌ 839.7

➢ Thus, d2= (2519.2 ±839.7)cm2

• The other column we have to show is the fifth column. In this column the value is
obtained by subtracting the other two previous columns.

D2-d2= (6206.25-2519.2) cm2 =3707.07cm2

We can also show how the error propagation works; z=D2-d2, x=D2, & y=d2

2
𝛿z =√( (𝛿𝑥 )2 + (𝛿𝑦 ) ) = √((1137)2 + (839.7)2 = 1413.4585 ͌1413.46

Thus, we can simplify the whole expression as follow;

➢ D2-d2= (3707.07± 1413.46) cm2

• On the sixth column we have another variable, with error propagation.

4D=4*(77.5) cm and its error propagation is given by 𝛿z = 𝑐𝛿x , where c= 4, x=D,

& z=4D.

𝛿z =4*(7.1) cm =28.4cm

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

➢ So the last row of this column equals, 4D=(310± 28.4)cm

𝐷2 −𝑑 2 3707.07
• On the 7th column, we can observe f= = 𝑐𝑚 = 11.958 ≈ 11.95𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 310

We can show how the error propagation is derived using the above two data we’ve obtained. z=f,
x=D2-d2& y=4D.

2
𝑥 δ𝑥 2 𝛿𝑦
𝐼𝑓 𝑧 = , 𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝛿𝑧 = 𝑧√( ) + ( )
𝑦 𝑥 𝑦

1413.46 2 28.4 2
𝛿z=11.95√( ) +( ) =0.3921*11.95=4.6855≈4.68
3707.07 310

➢ Thus, the final variable we’re required can be depicted like, f=(11.95± 4.68)cm

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

D2 –d2 Vs 4D graph

D2-d2 (cm2)

𝑦
Slope=𝑥 =11.95

4D (cm)

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

Post Lab Questions

1. Two real images can be found for a given object screen distance. What are the similarities
and differences of the images? What general principle explain the existence of two images?
- Two real images can be formed by a converging lens when the object is placed at a distance
greater than twice the focal length of the lens1. The similarities and differences of the
images are as follows:
• Both images are real, meaning they can be projected on a screen and are inverted with
respect to the object2.
• Both images are diminished, meaning they are smaller than the object2.
• The image formed by the lens when it is closer to the object is larger and farther from the
lens than the image formed when the lens is farther from the object12.
• The image formed by the lens when it is closer to the object has a greater magnification
and a smaller lateral displacement than the image formed when the lens is farther from the
object
- The existence of two real images formed by a convex lens for a given object-screen
distance occurs when the object is positioned between the focal point and the lens. Light
rays converge after passing through the lens, creating a real inverted image on the opposite
side. Additionally, virtual rays diverge before reaching the object and appear to originate
from behind the lens, forming a virtual image on the same side as the object. This
phenomenon arises from the principles of refraction in convex lenses.
2. The lens in the human eye is convex. It forms real image on the retina therefore the image
on the retina is inverted. Despite this fact we see upright images. Is there any contradiction?
- No contradiction exists. Although the image on the retina is inverted due to the convex lens
of the eye, our brain processes visual information to perceive the world upright. This
adaptation occurs through complex neural processing and cognitive factors.

Discussion of results

From the data we have collected, we were able to find the focal length of the convex lens, which is given
𝐷 2−𝑑2
by the formula, f= using this we just calculate the value by finding other variables. From the
4𝐷
experiment, we were able to attain data that were close to one another. Thus, we say it has a high precision.
Besides that, on the second and third steps of the lab procedure, we saw some kinds of new optical terms
that need to be defined. Accordingly, we found their definition as follows.

In the 2nd step, we were asked to make a clear image on the screen.

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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

Clear Image: - The optical center of the lens is defined as the point that lies on the principal axis
through which the rays of light pass without any deflection. Or it can be defined as the central
point of the lens through which a ray of light passes without suffering any deviation.

Whereas, in the 3rd step, we were asked to make a well-focused image on the screen.

Well-focused: - In optics, “well-focus” refers to the ability of a lens to bring light emanating from
a point to another point, almost to a point. If light from object points is converged almost as much
as possible in the image.

We can also say for sure, that defining terms can deflect the lab results. It can also be a cause of
confusion. There are some causes for experimental data like this to deflect from the true value.
Since this experiment is done using a ruler, it is subjected to the parallax error and basic limitation
of our ability to see. The other factor that might affect is the vagueness of the experiment itself.
Since we were working on the image clearness. The clearness of an image is also somehow
subjective.

Conclusion

We can infer, from the experiment, that it’s possible to calculate the focal length of an optical
system using some equipment. As we have discussed earlier the focal length is the distance from
the focal point to the center of the lens. The experiment was done by increasing the distance
between the object and the screen. The final result we have obtained is 11.95± 4.68 cm.

References
General physics module. (2019, December1). Addis Ababa University (Department of Physics).
Knight, R.D. (2016). Physics for scientists and engineers (4th ed.). Pearson.
Laboratory report instructions. (n.d.). Reed College.
https://www.reed.edu/writing/paper_help/labreport.htm
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General Physics (Phys 1011), Experiment 9 Focal
AAU, Department of physics
Length of Lenses

Focal Length of Lens. (n.d.). Kingsborough Community College https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu

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