BY,

Richard Singh,T

Sree Hari Santosh.

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 LIQUID LENS

INDEX

SL.NO T I T L E PAGE.NO
1 Introduction 2

2 . A i m 3

3 . A p p a r a t u s 4

4 . T h e o r y 5

5 . P r o c e d u r e 6

6 . D i a g r a m 8

7 . Observation & calculatio n 9

8 . R e s u l t 1 2

9 . Precautions & source of error 1 3

1 0 . B i b l i o g r a p h y 1 4

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Introduction

Many optical tasks require several lenses in order to achieve an

acceptable level of performance. One such possible approach to
lens combination is to consider the image formed by each lens as
the object for the next lens and so on. This is a valid approach, but
it is time consuming and difficult. Liquid lens experiment can be
used to find the optical constants of a lens and also to find the
refractive indices of various liquids.

The theory behind the liquid lens is based on the properties of one
or more liquid to create magnification within a small amount of
space. The focus of a liquid lens is controlled by the surface of the
liquid. Water normally form a bubble shape when adhered to
materials like glass. Thos desirable property of water makes it a
very suitable candidate for the production of liquid lens.
Essentially the liquid must be transparent so as to study its
properties. To generate a liquid lens, a liquid is sandwiched
between two pieces of a clear plastic or glass. Glycerin can also
be used as a fluid in the liquid lens system. The surface profiles of
the liquid determine the focal length of the liquid lens system and
how the liquid lens focuses the light rays.

If we keep the mirror behind the lens and put the object at the
focus of the lens above it, the image of the object will be formed
at the same focus where the object is. If it is an extended object,
its image will be inverted and the size of the image is same as that
of the object. This property has enabled the efficient use of liquid
lens to find the refractive index of a fluid by this method. The focal
length of the liquid lens can be calculated knowing the focal
length of the combination and that of the convex lens, from
which the refractive index of the fluid can easily be estimated.

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AIM
To determine:-

1. Optical constants of a convex lens and

2. Refractive index of a liquid lens.

APPARATUS REQUIED:

1. The convex lens

2. Plane mirror,

3. The liquid (water)

4. Glycerin

5. Retort stand

6. Lens stand

7. Lamp

8. Measuring scale

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THEORY

Let f be the focal length andR1 and R2 be the radii of curvature of

a convex lens.

Then,
1 1 1
=( 1)( + )
1 2

Hence the refractive index n of the material of the lens is

(1 2)
n= 1+
(1 +2)

When the lens is placed over some drops of the given liquid on a
planmbination of the vconvex and the e mirror, a plano-concave liquid
lens is obtained. If F is the focal length of the combination of the
convex lens and the plano-concave liquid lens, the focal length of
the liquid lens is given by.

F1=

If the first face of convex lens is in contact with the liquid surface,
the radius of curvature of the upper surface of the liquid lens is R1.
For the liquid lens,

R1 = R1 & R2 =
Hence

1
nl = 1+
1

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PROCEDURE

To find the focal length of the convex lens

The convex lens is placed over a plane mirror which is
kept horizontally. A bright pointer O is arranged horizontally
on the clamp of a retort stand, vertically above the lens.
Looking from above, the pointer is moved up or down until the
pointer and its inverted image coincides without parallax. The
distance x1 and x2 of the pointer from the top of the lens are
measured. The average distance[x1+x2]/2 gives the focal
length f of the convex lens. The experiment is repeated and
the mean focal length is calculated.

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 To find the focal length of the liquid lens
The lens is then removed, a few drops of the given liquid placed
on the plane mirror. The lens is placed on it with the marked
first surface of the lens in contact with the liquid. The liquid
lens forms a plano-concave lens. The pointer is arranged
horizontally above the lens. Looking from above, the pointer is
moved up or down until the pointer and its inverted image
coincides without parallax. The distances x1 and x2 are
measured as before. The average distance[x1+x2]/2 gives the
focal length f1 of the combination of the convex lens and liquid
lens. The focal length f1 is calculated from the equation

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F1=

Repeat the experiment by keeping the second surface on water

and determine f2

And find R2 andR2 by Using formula

1 1 1
=( 1)( + )
1 2

Find the focal length f for glycerine

Few drops of glycerine is added on a mirror. Lens is placed upon

it such that it formed a plano-concave lens. The pointer is
arranged horizontally to get a coinciding object and image
without parallax. Distances x1 and x2 are noted as before.
Focal length is calculated by using formula

1+2
f= .
2

Fig: To find radius of curvature of lens

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OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION
(i)To find focal length of lens

Focal length
S l . n o D i s t a n c e o f p o i n t e r f r o m
( c m )
T o p o f l e n s Top of mirror
( c m ) ( c m )

1 1 0 . 1 1 1 . 1 1 0 . 6

2 1 0 . 2 1 1 . 2 1 0 . 7

3 9 . 9 1 0 . 9 1 0 . 4

4 1 0 1 1 1 0 . 5

5 1 0 . 3 1 1 . 3 1 0 . 8
Mean = 10.6 cm

(ii) To find the focal length of the combination,

1st surface

Focal length
Sl.no D i s t a n c e o f p o i n t e r f r o m
(cm)
T o p o f l e n s T o p o f m i r r o r
( c m ) ( c m )

1 1 5 1 6 1 5 . 5

2 1 5 . 2 1 6 . 2 1 5 . 7

3 1 4 . 8 1 5 . 8 1 5 . 3

4 1 5 . 3 1 6 . 3 1 5 . 8

5 1 5 . 4 1 6 . 4 1 5 . 9

Mean focal length of combination,

(cm) = 15.64 cm

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Focal length of combination , surface 2

Focal length
S l . n o D i s t a n c e o f p o i n t e r f r o m
( c m )
T o p o f l e n s T o p o f m i r r o r
( c m ) ( c m )

1 1 5 . 5 1 6 . 5 1 6 . 0

2 1 5 . 1 1 6 . 1 1 5 . 6

3 1 5 . 3 1 6 . 3 1 5 . 8

4 1 5 . 0 1 6 . 0 1 5 . 5

5 1 5 . 6 1 6 . 6 1 6 . 1

Mean focal length, = 15.8 cm

F1 = 15.64 cm

F2 = 15.80 cm

1 1 1
We know, =( 1)( + )
1 2

R1= (n1) f1 (R2= )

= 15.64 ( 1.33 1) (n= 1.33 for )

= 15.64 (1.33 1)

= 5.161 cm

Similarly ,

R2= (1-n) f2

= 15.8 0.33

= 5.214 cm

Also f1= =15.576 cm

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(iii) Focal length of liquid lens using glycerin

D i s t a n c e o f p o i n t e r f r o m Focal length (cm)

S l . n o
T o p o f l e n s T o p o f m i r r o r
( c m ) ( c m )

1 19.6 20.6 2 0 . 1

2 1 9 . 5 2 0 . 5 2 0 . 0

3 1 9 . 0 2 0 . 0 1 9 . 5

4 1 9 . 2 2 0 . 2 1 9 . 7

5 1 9 . 4 2 0 . 4 1 9 . 9

Mean focal length of glycerin lens = 19.84 cm

CALCULATIONS

(1 2)
n= 1+
(1 +2)
= 1 + 2.663 = 3.663

1 1
nl = 1+ (glycerine) nl = 1+ (water)
1 1
5.161 5.161
= 1+ = 1+
19.84 15.64

= 1+ 0.46 = 1+ 0.33

=1.46 =1.33

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Results
1. Focal length of convex lens = 10.6 cm
2. Radius of curvature of 1st surface = 1
3. Radius of curvature of 2nd surface =
4. Refractive index of material of lens =
5. Refractive index of liquid= 1.33(water) ; 1.46(glycerine)

PRECAUTIONS
1. The plane mirror should be clean and must have fully shining
surface.

2. The liquid taken should be transparent.

3. The parallax error should be removed tip to tip.

SOURCES OF ERROR

1. Liquid may now be transparent.

2. The parallax error may not be fully removed.

3. Measurements may not be correct.

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BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Physics ncert textbook .
2. www.experimentalphysics.com
3. www.wikipedia.com
4. Practical physics.

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