Experiment 3: Refraction from Thin Spherical Surfaces

2.1 Preparation of Materials

In this experiment, two convex lenses with pre-determined focal lengths were used in verifying the
focal lengths of the mirrors used: a lens with a 20-cm focal length and another lens with a 10-cm focal
length. Moreover, two light sources were used in generating the incident light required for the
experiment: a 12V, G4-halogen light source and the emitted light by the Sun. An optical bench was
used as a mounting surface for the image screen, the convex mirrors, and the G4-halogen light source
(Figure 2.1). The optical bench with the image screen were also used in varying the object distance,
image distance, and the height of images formed required for the analyses on the other procedures
(Table 2.1).

Tests Materials Used

Focal Length Determination Optical Bench
with an Object Located at a
Very Far Distance
Convex Lenses
Image Screen
Focal Length Determination Optical Bench
with an Object Located at a
Finite Distance and Linear
Regression
Convex Lenses
Image Screen
Light Source

2.2 Focal Length Determination with an Object Located at a Very Far Distance
The optical table was placed over a table that was distantly located from the window sill. The image
screen was placed at the farthest end of the optical table and then with the use of a convex mirror,
either 10-cm or 20-cm, the image was then projected on the image screen (Figure 2.2). The distance
between the screen and the lens was measured and was recorded as the image distance (the same
procedures was done for the unused lens). The focal lengths of the mirrors were then computed and
tabulated in the data sheet.
2.3 Focal Length Determination with an Object Located at a Finite Distance
The G4-light source was then mounted on the optical bench and placed one-meter from the image
screen (Figure 2.3). The location of the convex, either 10-cm or 20-cm, was readjusted until a sharp
image of the object was projected onto the image screen. The distance between the light source and
lens was measured and was recorded as the object distance and then the distance between the lens and
image screen was measured and was recorded as the image distance (the same procedures were done
for the unused lens). The focal lengths of the mirrors were then computed and tabulated in the data
sheet.
2.4 Focal Length Determination Using Linear Regression
The G4-light source previously mounted was lit back on and once again placed one-meter from the
image screen. The location of the lens, either 10-cm or 20-cm, was again readjusted until a sharp
image of the object was again seen on the image screen. The image distance and object distance was
re-measured and then the object and image sizes were also measured. Additional data were then
collected by varying the object distance; the data inputs were then loaded to Microsoft Excel to
generate a standard curve for linear regression analysis. The magnification of the lens was also
measured with the use of image-object distances and image-object sizes (subsequently, the same
procedures were done for the unused lens). The focal lengths of the mirrors were then computed and
tabulated in the data sheet.