ALAGAR PUBLIC SCHOOL

PHYSICS INVESTIGATORY PROJECT

2019-2020

“To find the refractive indices of (a) Water (b) Oil

(transparent) using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens
(made from the glass of known refractive index) and an
adjustable object needle”
 ALAGAR PUBLIC SCHOOL

MUTHAMMAL COLONY EXTN TUTICORIN

PHYSICS PROJECT

Register no : ………………………………

Certified Bonafide Record of project work done by

………………………………………… during the year ………………..

Date: Teacher Incharge

Submitted for the practical exam held at ALGAR PUBLIC SCHOOL

centre , Tuticorin on ……………………

Ms. DEEPASHREE SARMA External Examiner

PRINCIPAL
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The successful completion of any task would

be incomplete without mentioning the names of those person

who helped to make it possible. I take this opportunity to

express my gratitude in few words and respect to all those who

helped me in completing this project.

First of all, I register my sense of gratitude to our

beloved principal Ms . DEEPASHREE SARMA for her immense

encouragement to carry out this project successfully.

I express my deep regards & thanks to our

physics Teachers, Mr. MUNIAPPAN & Mr. RAJADURAI.M

for their valuable support, constant help and guidance at each

and every stage , without which this project would not have

been come forth.

I would also like to thank my friends and family

for encouraging me during the course of this project.

Last but not least , I would like to thank CBSE for

giving me the opportunity to undertake this project.

Introduction:
In optics, the refractive index ‘n’ of an optical medium is a
dimensionless number that describes how light or any other
radiation propagates through that medium. The refractive
index determines how much light is bent or refracted when
entering a material. The refractive indices also determine the
amount of light that is reflected when reaching the interface, as
well as the critical angle for total internal reflection. It varies
with the wavelength of light. The concept of refractive index is
widely used within the full electromagnetic spectrum from x-
rays to radio waves. It can also be used with wave phenomena
such as sound.
Theory:
Focal Length:
If F1, F2 and F are the focal lengths of convex lens, liquid lens
and combination respectively then
1 1 1
-- = -- + --
F F1 F2
Refractive Index:

Liquid lens forms a Plano concave lens with R1 = R and R2 = ∞,

then refractive index of liquid (n) from lens marker formula is

R
n = -- +1
F2
Radius of curvature:

The radius of the lower surface of the convex lens is given from
the formula of spherometer as

12 X 2 h
R= -------- + ---
6h 2
 INDEX
 Objective And Apparatus
 Diagram
 Theory
 Procedure
 Observations
 Calculations
 Results
 Precautions
 Sources Of Errors
AIM:

To find the refractive indices of (a) Water (b) Oil (transparent)

using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens (made from the glass
of known refractive index) and an adjustable object needle.

Apparatus Required:

1) Convex lens

2) liquids (water and glycerol or oil)

3) clamp stand

4) petri-dish

5) plane mirror strip

6) Object needle

7) spherometer
Theory:

1. The focal length ‘f’ of a convex lens whose radii of curvature

are R1 and R2 are given by the lens maker’s formula:
l l l
-- = (µ-l) -- - --
f R1 R2

2. For an equiconvex lens where the lens is made of glass µg =

1.5; R1 = R and R2 = -R;
l 2
this formula gives; -- = (1.5-1) – or R = f
f R

Hence, the radius of curvature can be calculated by

measuring the focal length ‘f’ of the lens.

3. If f8 is the focal length of a glass convex lens and FL is the

focal length of the liquid lens in contact with it as shown in
the Figure D-3.1; then their combined focal length (F) is
given by
l l l
--- = --- + ---
F f8 FL

The focal length of the Plano-concave liquid lens is given

by;
l l l
--- = --- - ---
FL F FL

The reflective index of the liquid is then given by;

l l l
--- = (µ1 – l) --- - ---
FL R ∞

Since R2 ∞
 l (µl – l) R
--- = -------- or µl = l + ---
FL R Fl

Procedure
(a) Focal length of convex lens
1. Take a given convex lens of glass and measure its rough
focal length

2. Place a plane mirror horizontally on two blocks and put

the convex lens on it.

3. Hold on optical needle in a clamp stand such that tip of

the needle is on vertical principal axis of the convex lens
at a height approximately equal to the focal length of the
convex lens.

4. Keep your eye about 30 cm above the optical needle and

look down on its image in the lens. Adjust the height of
the optical needle till there is no parallax between the tip
of the optical needle and its image.

5. Using a half metre scale, measure the height of the tip of

the needle from the top of convex lens and also from the
top of the plane mirror.
 (b) Focal length of combination

6. Pour a few drops of a transparent liquid on the plane

mirror. Place the glass convex lens on it. A Plano convex
lens is formed between the plane mirror and the glass
convex lens.

7. Repeat steps 3, 4 and 5 for the combination of glass

convex lens and the liquid lens.

8. Repeat the experiment for different liquids.

9. Focal length of combination

Observations
Rough focal length of the convex lens = ____________ cm

Height of tip of optical needle

From Focal
Arrangement from lens length
plane
surface xl Mean x cm
mirror x2
cm
cm
1 Convex lens on
plane mirror
f8 =

2 Convex lens on
plane mirror
with liquid in F=
between
Calculations
1. R = f = ……………….. cm

l l l
2. --- = --- - ---
FL F f8

FL = …………….. cm

R
µL = l + --- = ……………..
FL

Result

Refractive index of water is ……………………. And of oil is ………………….

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

2. The liquid taken should be transparent.

3. The parallax should be removed tip to tip.

4. The eye should be at a distance about 30 cm from the

needle while removing the parallax.

5. Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that its layer

should be thick.

6. The legs of the spherometer should be vertical.

7. The centre leg of the spherometer should turn in one

direction only.
SOURCES OF ERROR:
1. Liquid may not be quite transparent.

2. The parallax may not be fully removed.

3. The spherometer legs should be placed symmetrical on

the surface of the convex lens.

4. The tip of the central screw should not just touch the
surface of lens or mirror.

Biocappilary