ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY COLLEGE

OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL

SCIENCE
FRESH MAN COORDINATOR OFFICE
NATURAL SCIENCE STREAM
DEPARTMENT OF PHYSICS
PHYSICS LABORATORY REPORT
Group Number 01
NAME ID No
1. Lemi Gobena--------------------------------UGR/1589/16
2. Fita Alemayehu-----------------------------UGR/7071/16
3. Lelisa Tesfaye-------------------------------UGR/0486/16
4. Robera Tariku------------------------------UGR/2394/16
5. Hermela Tilahun---------------------------UGR/4921/16

Date of experiment: 09/01/2024

Date of submission: 16/02/2024

Course code: Phys 1011

Name instructor: Dr. Kenate
Name of lab assistant: Mr. Bogale
Place: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
 Date: February 9, 2024

ExPERIMENT 9
TITLE: FOCAL LENGTH OF LENSES
Objective:
The objective of this experiment is to investigate the focal length of a convex lens using a
combination of experimental measurements and mathematical analysis. Through precise
observations of the image formed by the lens, we aim to determine the focal length with high
accuracy. Additionally, we seek to explore the relationship between object distance, image
distance, and focal length, as described by the lens formula. By varying the position of the
object and measuring corresponding image distances, we intend to construct a graph to visually
represent this relationship. Ultimately, this experiment aims to deepen understanding of the
properties and behaviour of convex lenses in optical systems.

Theory:
Optics is the branch of physics that deals with the behaviour and properties of light, including
its interactions with matter and its propagation through various mediums. It encompasses a
wide range of phenomena, from the formation of images by lenses and mirrors to the behaviour
of light in different materials and environments.

Optics plays a crucial role in understanding how light behaves as it passes through a convex
lens to form images. Let's explore some key concepts of optics and how they relate to the
described scenario:

1. Optical Elements: In optics, a lens is a transparent device with curved surfaces that
refracts (or bends) light rays. Lenses are commonly used in many optical instruments,
including cameras, telescopes, and microscopes, to form images of objects.
2. Convex Lens: A convex lens is thicker at the centre than at the edges. When parallel rays
of light pass through a convex lens, they converge at a point on the opposite side of the
lens. This point is known as the focal point.
3. Concave lens: is thinner at the centre than at the edges, causing parallel rays of light
passing through it to diverge. Its focal point is virtual, located on the same side as the
incoming light, and its focal length is negative. Concave lenses are commonly used in
corrective eyewear to treat conditions such as near-sightedness (myopia) by diverging light
rays before they reach the eye's lens, thus aiding in focusing images onto the retina.
4. Refraction: When light passes from one medium to another (such as from air to glass), its
speed changes, causing it to bend. This phenomenon is known as refraction. In the case of
a convex lens, the curved surfaces cause light rays to refract towards the centre of the lens.
This refraction is what allows the lens to converge parallel rays of light to a focal point,
thereby forming an image.
5. Focal Point and Focal Length: A convex lens has a unique property called a focal point.
This is the point where parallel rays of light converge or appear to diverge from after
passing through the lens. The distance from the lens to this focal point is known as the
focal length. The focal length determines how much the light is bent by the lens and thus
affects the properties of the image formed.
6. Image Formation: When an object is placed in front of a convex lens, light rays from the
object converge to form an image on the opposite side of the lens. The characteristics of
the image (such as its size, orientation, and distance from the lens) depend on the object
distance, focal length, and the nature of the lens. In the described scenario, the lens forms
sharp images of a candle at two different positions, illustrating how the lens refracts light
to create distinct images.
7. Optical Aberrations: While lenses are designed to create clear and accurate images, they
can suffer from optical aberrations, which are imperfections that cause deviations from
ideal image formation. These aberrations can include spherical aberration, chromatic
aberration, and coma, among others. Understanding and minimizing these aberrations are
essential in designing high-quality optical systems.
8. Lens Equation: relates the object distance (S), the image distance (So), and the focal
length (f) of a lens. It quantifies how light rays are refracted by the lens to form images.
This equation is fundamental in understanding and predicting the behaviour of lenses in
optical systems.
The equation is given as:
1 1 1
+ =
𝑆 𝑆𝑜 𝑓

Where:

• S is the object distance,

• So is the image distance,
• f is the focal length.

In summary, optics provides the fundamental principles and tools necessary to understand how
light interacts with lenses and other optical elements to form images. The concepts of
refraction, focal points, lens equations, and image formation are central to this understanding,
as demonstrated in the described scenario of a convex lens forming images of a candle at
different positions.

Apparatus:
• Optical bench
• holders for lenses
• a screen to form images
• meter stick
• concave lens
• convex lenses different focal lengths
• Lamp with object on face (illuminated object)
Procedure:
The screen was placed at a distance D from the illuminated object, as depicted in figure 1.1
The lens was then positioned between the object and the screen, where a clear image appeared
on the screen, and note was taken of the lens stand's position. Maintaining the object and the
screen in a fixed position, a second position was identified where the lens produced a well-
focused image on the screen. This procedure was repeated for five different values of D, and
the corresponding sets of D and d were tabulated. The above steps were then replicated for the
second convex lens. Finally, the entire process was repeated for the concave lens.

Figure 1.1

Observation:
In this part we are going to provide data obtained from a series of systematic observations.
Initially, the screen was positioned at a distance D from an illuminated object, following a
prescribed setup outlined in figure 1.1. Subsequently, a lens was introduced between the object
and the screen to produce a distinct image, with careful notation of the lens stand's position.
Maintaining the object and screen stationary, we adjusted the lens to identify a secondary
position where the image remained sharply focused. This procedure was repeated for five
distinct values of D, and the resulting data sets of D and d were meticulously recorded for
further analysis.

The observation in tabular form is presented as:

Trial numbers D(cm) d(cm)

1 58.2 32.8
2 68.2 44.8
3 78.2 55.6
4 88.2 66.9
5 98.2 77.1
Analysis:
The analysis of the observational data and procedure centres on deriving key parameters such
as D2 - d2, 4D, and the frequency(f) of specific phenomena. Through comprehensive analysis,
we aim to fetch the underlying principles governing image formation by lenses, contributing
to the field of optics. So from the data given above these three parameters can be calculated as
follow.

➢ Calculating D2 - d2 provides insight into the geometric relationships involved in image

formation, quantifying differences in distances between the object, lens, and screen across
experimental conditions.

So the calculation proceeds as follow for every 5 trials we have made. This calculations
provide us with a tool by which we can relate the distances in image formation.

•For first trial D = 58.2cm and d = 32.8cm

D2 - d2 = (58.2cm)2 – (32.8)2 = 3,387.24cm2 – 1,075.84cm2 = 2,311.4cm2
• For second trial D = 68.2cm and d = 44.8cm
D2 - d2 = (68.2cm)2 – (44.8)2 = 4,651.24cm2 – 2,007.04cm2 = 2,644.2cm2
• For third trial D = 78.2cm and d = 55.6cm
D2 - d2 = (78.2cm)2 – (55.6)2 = 6,115.24cm2 – 3,091.36cm2 = 3,023.8cm2
• For fourth trial D = 88.2cm and d = 66.9cm
D2 - d2 = (88.2cm)2 – (66.9)2 = 7,779.24cm2 – 4,475.61cm2 = 3,303.6cm2
• For fifth trial D = 98.2cm and d = 77.1cm
D2 - d2 = (98.2cm)2 – (77.1)2 = 9,643.24cm2 – 5,944.41cm2 = 3,303.6cm2
➢ 4D serves as a pivotal factor in determining the lens's focal length, offering a quantitative
measure of the distance between the object and the lens.

For this part too the calculation proceeds as follow for every 5 trials we have made. This
calculations provide us with a tool by which we determine the focal length of the lens.

• For first trial D = 58.2cm

4D = 4(58.2cm) = 232.8cm
• For second trial D = 68.2cm
4D = 4(68.2cm) = 272.8cm
• For third trial D = 78.2cm
4D = 4(78.2cm) = 312.8cm
• For fourth trial D = 88.2cm
4D = 4(88.2cm) = 352.8cm
• For fifth trial D = 98.2cm
4D = 4(98.2cm) =392.8cm
➢ Additionally, analysing the frequency of well-focused image formations aids in identifying
patterns and trends, refining experimental techniques and enhancing result reliability.

Finally this parts calculation proceeds as follow for every 5 trials we have made. This
calculations provide us with a tool by which we determine the frequency of the light.

𝐷2 − 𝑑2
𝑓=
4𝐷
 • For first trial D2 - d2 = 2311.4cm2 and 4D = 232.8cm
𝐷2 − 𝑑2 2311.4𝑐𝑚2
𝑓= = = 9.93𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 232.8𝑐𝑚
• For second trial D2 - d2 = 2644.2cm2 and 4D = 272.8cm
𝐷2 − 𝑑2 2644.2𝑐𝑚2
𝑓= = = 9.69𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 272.8𝑐𝑚
• For three trial D2 - d2 = 3023.8cm2 and 4D = 312.8cm
𝐷2 − 𝑑2 3023.8𝑐𝑚2
𝑓= = = 9.67𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 312.8𝑐𝑚
• For fourth trial D2 - d2 = 3303.6cm2 and 4D = 352.8cm
𝐷2 − 𝑑2 3303.6𝑐𝑚2
𝑓= = = 9.36𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 352.8𝑐𝑚
• For fourth trial D2 - d2 = 3698.8cm2 and 4D = 392.8cm
𝐷2 − 𝑑2 3698.8𝑐𝑚2
𝑓= = = 9.42𝑐𝑚
4𝐷 392.8𝑐𝑚

So from the above calculation we were able to know the relation between the distances in image
formation, determine the focal length of the lens, and determine the frequency of the light.

Discussion:
After all arrangement and measurements of the experiment the following discussion points are
raised between group members
The first point is that by studying the formation of a real image created by the converging lens
from a distant object, the focal length was determined. The characteristic behaviour of the real
image, such as its orientation, size, and position relative to the lens, provided valuable insights
into the optical properties of the lens.
method employed to determine the focal length involved analysing the relationships between
finite object and image distances. By measuring and calculating these distances, the focal
length of the converging lens was derived, showcasing how the positioning of objects and
images affects the lens's ability to focus light.
Another point is that the experimental setup and measurement techniques employed in
determining the focal length were crucial in obtaining accurate and precise results. Factors such
as parallax error, calibration of measuring instruments, and careful observation of image
characteristics were essential in ensuring the reliability of the focal length measurements.
Through this experiment, the fundamental optical properties of converging lenses, such as their
ability to converge light rays and form real images, were demonstrated and studied.
Understanding the focal length is crucial in predicting the behaviour of converging lenses in
various optical systems and applications.
By discussing these aspects in the focal length determination of a converging lens, we gain a
comprehensive understanding of the experimental methodology, results obtained, and the
significance of focal length in optical systems and lens design.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, the investigation into the properties of converging lenses and the determination
of their focal length through two distinct methods has provided valuable insights into the
behaviour of converging optical systems. By studying the formation of real images from distant
objects and analysing the characteristics of these images, we were able to accurately determine
the focal length of the converging lens. Additionally, through measurements of finite object
and image distances, the focal length was calculated based on the object and image positioning
relative to the lens. These experimental procedures not only allowed for the practical
assessment of the focal length but also facilitated a deeper understanding of how converging
lenses focus light and form images. The results obtained from this investigation contribute to a
comprehensive knowledge of the optical properties of converging lenses and their role in image
formation, demonstrating the fundamental principles of lens optics in practical settings.