Lab9Focal Length of a Thin Lens

Date:April7,2015

Name:WestonSaunders
Group Name: X
Group Leader: Weston Saunders
Complete the table below.
Trial

Object
Distance
(cm)

1
97.3
2
12.3
3
21.2
4
36
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX
(5 points x 6 = 30 points)

Object Size
(cm)

Image
Distance
(cm)

0.5
0.5
XXX
XXX
XXX
XXX

12.7
97.7
22.9
16
XXX
XXX

Image
Size/Orientatio
n
(cm)
0.1/inverted
3.75/inverted
XXX
XXX
Average
Std. Dev.

Focal
Length (cm)
11.23
10.925
11.009
11.077
11.06025
0.0898

1.Plot the 1/o vs. 1/i graph from all data collected. (10 points) What are the values of the
x- and y- axis intercepts. (10 points) What are the meanings of the x- and y- axis
intercepts. (10 points) Attach the plot here.

2. For the first two sets of data points only, use image and object distances to find the
magnification at each position of the lens (magnification = M = -i/o). Then using your
measurements of the image and objects sizes, find the magnification by the measured
image and object sizes. ( M = (image size)/(object size). Compare and comment on the
four values of M. (10 points)
Object Distance
Image Distance
Magnification(-i/o)
97.3
12.7
-0.13
12.3
97.7
-7.9
21.2
22.9
-1.08
36
16
-0.44
Object Size

Image Size

0.5
0.5

0.1
3.75

Magnification
(image size)/(object size)
0.2
7.5

Consideringthecomparisonofbothmagnificationsduetothecalculationof
Magnificationtheyareconsiderablyclosethereforeyoucansaytheyarestatistically
thesame.Bothcalculationsshouldarriveatthesamenumberwhenlookingatthe
magnitude.
3. Are the images observed in this lab real or virtual? How do you know? (10 points)
The images observed in the lab are real because they can be projected on a screen or
a card and real images, and it allows rays of light to pass through its location.
4. Explain why, for a given screen-object distance, there are two positions where the
image is in focus. (10 points)
The object can be further than (2f) from the lens when the image formed will be
inverted, diminished and between f and 2f on the other side of the lens.
Or the object can be between f and 2f from the lens and the image will be inverted,
magnified and beyond 2f on the other side of the lens. For the distanc object, The
light rays that go to the lens are parrallel or nearly parrallel and therefore are
strongly bent together to form an image not far from the lens which is not very big.
When light is close to the lens but not too close will still diverge when it arrives to
the lens. The lens should bend the light backward and toward the main(principle)
axis but this image should be enlarged as it is formed a long way beyond the lens.
5. Why is the magnification negative? (5 points)
Magnifiction is negative because due to Gaussion equation, all real images are
inverted and thus opposite which needs for the negative sign.
6. Statistically compare your measured value of the focal length of the lens with value
printed on the lens (5 points)