REMARKS/ANALYSIS OF DATA

In the Refraction from a Spherical Surface: Thin Lens experiment, the focal length of

convex lens was determined by different types, such as by the use of an object at infinity, at a

finite distance, and by the use of graphical technique. Also, magnification between image and

object size as well as the percentage errors and differences were determined by applying the

formula for the Thin Lens equation and others.

Initially, focal lengths of lens 1 and 2 were determined using an object at infinity. Given

the values of the actual focal lengths and the object distance, image distance and focal per each

trial were measured as well as the average focal length and percent error for lens 1 and 2 were

solved. With the distance of the object determined to be infinity, the image distance projected on

the screen from the lens and focal length were assumed to be equal based on the Thin Lens

equation and it was found out that their values for the two trials were just the same, giving an

equal average focal length and a low percentage error.

Secondly, focal lengths of lens 1 and 2 were determined using an object at a finite

distance. Given the values of the distance between screen and light source as well as the actual

focal lengths, the following values were measured and solved for positions 1 and 2: object

distance, image distance, focal length, average focal length, and percentage error. By measuring

the object and image distance, it was found out that they were inverse of each other, meaning

their distances are interchangeable. Since the summation values of object and image distances for

positions 1 and 2 were equal to the distance between screen and light source, focal length and its

average were solved. The average focal length was then compared to the actual focal length to

determine its percentage error.

 Thirdly, focal lengths were determined using graphical technique through the use of

either lens 1 or lens 2. Given the values of the object size (diameter of the lens), gaps between

the screen and light source and the actual focal length, the following values were measured and

solved for positions 1 and 2: object distance, image distance, height of the image, inverse values

of object and image distance, x and y-intercepts, focal length and its average, and percentage

error. By measuring the object and image distance, it was found out that they were inverse of

each other, meaning their distances were interchangeable. Since the summation values of object

and image distances for positions 1 and 2 were equal to the given gaps between screen and light

source, their inverse values were solved to plot in a graph to determine the line equation

especially the x-intercept and y-intercept. Since the intercepts of the graph were equal to the

inverse value of focal length, focal length was solved as well as its average. The average focal

length was then compared to the actual focal length to determine its percentage error.

Lastly, magnification and percentage difference for positions 1 and 2 were solved in the

determination of focal length using graphical technique. Given the values obtained such as the

object and image distances as well as the object and image sizes, magnification for each position

was determined by the ratio in terms of the object and image distances and in terms of object and

image sizes. The magnification value of the distance was then compared to the magnification

value of the image to determine its percentage error.

CONCLUSION

Based on the outcome of the Refraction from a Spherical Surface: Thin Lens experiment,

I therefore conclude that: the focal length of convex lens was determined using different

locations of the object and the graphical method. The objectives were obtained based on the

theories, principles, or concepts about focal length, magnification, and others provided.

For part A of the experiment, which is the determination of focal length using an object at

infinity, the Thin Lens equation can be applied here to find the focal length. Thin Lens equation

states that, “For an object located at infinite distance, the focal length equals the distance of the

image projected on the screen from the lens”. To interpret this, the equation used for this part is:

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= 𝒔 + 𝒔′ = ∞ + 𝒔′ 𝒐𝒓 𝒇 = 𝒔′ , where f is the focal length positive for converging/convex lines,
𝒇

s is the infinite object distance, and s’ is the image distance from the lens to the screen.

For part B of the experiment, which is the determination of focal length using an object at

a finite distance, the Thin Lens equation can also be applied here to find the focal length. It was

said from the theory about thin lens that since the object distance is inverse of the image

distance, their values are interchangeable, and thus their summation is equal to the given distance

between screen and light source. These distances produced real object and real image during the

experiment, because the object was on the same side of the lens as the incident light. With the

given values of object and image distances, focal lengths were then determined by the equation:
𝒔𝒔′
= 𝒔+𝒔′ , where f is the focal length, s is the object distance, and s’ is the image distance.

For part C of the experiment, which is the determination of focal length using graphical

technique, the Thin Lens equation can also be applied here as well as the use of graphical

coordinates in terms of inverse distances. Procedures of this part were similar from the
procedures done in part B to determine the object, image distances and also the height of the

image at various gaps between the screen and light source using one convex lens only. To

𝟏 𝟏
determine the x and y intercepts on the graph, inverse object and image distances( 𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒔′)

were determined. The intercepts along x and y were known by tracing a line along the points of

inverse distance averages, and thus focal lengths on these intercepts were determined by the

𝟏 𝟏
equation: 𝒇 = 𝒙−𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒇 = 𝒚−𝒊𝒏𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒄𝒆𝒑𝒕 . Magnification in terms of image and object

distance for this part was then measured given the values of distances and sizes by the equation:

𝒔′ 𝒉
= − 𝒔 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒎 = 𝒉 𝒊 , where s’ is the image distance, s is the object, hi is the image size, and ho is
𝒐

the object size. Magnification has its basis on interpreting the values. If m<1, image is smaller

than the object (diminished); if m>1, image is larger than the object (enlarged); and if m=1,

object and image are of the same size.

After performing the experiment, I have understood how the refraction works because of

the theory of thin lens in determining the focal length. I have also understood that by performing

the experiment on finding the focal length, there are several techniques to get the variables

involved in the thin lens equation as they are based on different cases about the image formation

using convex lines. They can be interchangeable in values depending on various gaps, the focal

length and image distance are equal if object distance is infinite and graphical techniques can

determine the focal length by plotting points of distances to determine maximum values of object

and image distances. A good practical application of this experiment is the refraction where

convex lens are major parts of telescopes and binoculars to view far places and things. This

experiment can also be applied in refraction where convex lens are also major parts of

microscope and magnifying glass to view tiny objects.