Focal Length of Lenses

Objective

The objective of this experiment was to determine the focal length of convex and
concave lenses and study the relationship between the object distance, image
distance, and focal length using the lens equation. This involved both direct
measurements and the use of a combination lens system to calculate effective focal
lengths, giving insight into the properties of light and lenses.

Theory

A lens is an optical device that bends light to converge (convex lens) or diverge
(concave lens). The focal length (‘f’) is the distance from the lens where parallel rays
converge (convex) or appear to diverge from (concave). Understanding the focal
length helps in determining how a lens will behave in optical setups such as
microscopes, cameras, and telescopes.

The relationship between the focal length, object distance (‘u’), and image distance
(‘v’) is governed by the lens equation:

For convex lenses, light rays converge to form a real image, and the focal length (‘f’)
is positive. For concave lenses, light rays diverge, and the focal length is negative.
These properties make convex lenses suitable for magnification and focusing, while
concave lenses are used to correct vision and spread light.

When a concave lens is used in combination with a convex lens, the effective focal
length can be calculated using:

This equation illustrates how the focal lengths of individual lenses combine to
determine the overall behavior of the lens system.

Apparatus

The apparatus used in this experiment included:

A convex lens for focusing light.

A concave lens for diverging light.

An optical bench to hold and align components.

A screen to capture the formed image.

A light source, such as a candle or bulb.

A ruler or measuring tape for precise distance measurements.

To begin the experiment, we placed the convex lens on the optical bench and
positioned the light source at a known distance (‘u’) from the lens. The screen was
adjusted to capture a sharp image, and the image distance (‘v’) was measured. This
process was repeated for various object distances to collect data points for
calculating the focal length using the lens equation.

For the concave lens, the procedure was slightly different. A convex lens was
positioned in front of the concave lens to create a combination lens system. The light
source was aligned with the lenses, and the screen was adjusted to form an image.
Measurements of object distance and image distance were recorded, and the
effective focal length was calculated using the combination formula.

To ensure accuracy, measurements were repeated multiple times, and care was
taken to minimize alignment errors. The entire setup was adjusted carefully to avoid
parallax errors and ensure that the lens was perpendicular to the optical axis.

Data Collection

The following table summarizes the recorded measurements for object distance
(‘D’), image distance (‘d’), and derived focal lengths:

Trial D d D2 _ d2 4d F=(D2-d2)/4D
1 54 14.9 2693.99 216 12.4721
2 59 22.6 2970.24 236 12.5857
3 64 29.5 3225.75 256 12.6005
4 69 36.2 3450.56 276 12.5020
5 74 41.9 3720.39 296 12.5688

Calculations

Using the recorded data, the lens equation was applied to calculate the focal length
(‘f’) for each trial. For the combination lens system, the effective focal length (‘f_eff’)
was determined using the known focal length of the convex lens and the calculated
focal length of the concave lens. The following steps were performed:

1. Substituting the measured values of object distance (‘u’) and image distance (‘v’)
into the lens equation:

2. Computing the effective focal length for the combination system using:

3. Averaging the focal lengths from multiple trials to account for experimental errors.

Results and Discussion

 The focal length of the convex lens was calculated to be approximately cm.
 The focal length of the concave lens was determined to be cm through the
combination system.
 The results showed good agreement with theoretical predictions, indicating that
the lens equation accurately describes the behavior of light through lenses.

Several sources of error were identified during the experiment. Misalignment of the
optical bench and parallax errors during measurements could have influenced the
results. Additionally, imperfections in the lenses and slight variations in object
placement introduced uncertainties. Despite these challenges, the consistency of
repeated measurements validated the findings.

Conclusion

This experiment successfully determined the focal lengths of convex and concave
lenses and demonstrated the principles of lens behavior. The lens equation was
verified through direct measurements and combination calculations, highlighting its
applicability in optical systems. The experiment emphasized the importance of
precision and alignment in achieving accurate results.

By understanding the properties of lenses, this study reinforces their critical role in
various optical applications, from magnifying glasses to advanced imaging systems.