TOPIC - To find the refractive

indexes of(a)water (b) oil using a

plane mirror, an equi convex lens, and
an adjustable object needle.

NAME – AKANKSHA TIWARI

CLASS - XII
SECTION – SCIENCE
ROLLNO –
SESSION – 2019-2020

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INDEX
 Acknowledgement
 Certificate
 Objective
 Apparatus
 Diagram
 Theory
 Procedure
 Observations
 Calculations
 Results
 Precautions
 Sources Of Errors

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I would like to express my special thanks of gratitude to
my teacher Mrs. MEENA KUMARI who gave me the
opportunity to do this wonderful project on the topic “To
find the refractive indexes of(a)water
(b) oil using a plane mirror, an equi
convex lens, and an adjustable object
needle.” which also helped me in doing a lot of
research and I came to know about so many things. I am
very thankful to them.
Secondly, I would also like to thank my parents and
friends who helped me a lot in completing this project
within the limited time.

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CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that project entitled “To find the
refractive indexes of(a)water (b) oil
using a plane mirror, an equi convex
lens, and an adjustable object needle.”
submitted to the physics department of KHALSA
MODEL SENIOR SECONDARY SCHOOL for
fulfilling AISSCE. Physics practical examination
2019-2020 as a record of original work by
AKANKSHA TIWARI during her studies under
the department of physics under the guidance of
respective teachers.

SIGNATURE SIGNATURE

(EXTERNAL EXAMINER) (INTERNAL EXAMINER)

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OBJECTIVE:
To find the refractive indexes of(a)water (b) oil
using a plane mirror, an equiconvex lens, and an
adjustable object needle.

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APPARATUS:
 A convex lens
 A plane mirror
 Water
 Oil
 Clamp
 Stand
 An optical needle
 Plumb line
 Knitting needle
 Half meter scale
 Glass slab
 A spherometer

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DIAGRAM:

Fig: Focal length of glass convex les and liquid lens

combination

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THEORY:
1.If f1 and f2 be the focal length of the glass
convex lens and liquid lens and f be the focal
length of their combination then:-

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏 𝒇𝒇𝟐
= + or f2 =
𝒇 𝒇𝟏 𝒇𝟐 𝒇𝟏 −𝒇

2.Liquid lens formed a plano-concave kens with

R1=R and R2=∞ then by using lens make’s
formula

𝟏 𝟏 𝟏
= (𝒏 − 𝟏) ⌊ − ⌋
𝒇𝟐 𝑹𝟏 𝑹𝟐
𝟏 𝟏
=(𝒏 − 𝟏) ⌊ − ⌋
𝑹𝟏 ∞

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 𝟏
=(n-1)⌊ − 𝟎⌋
𝑹

𝟏 𝒏−𝟏
=
𝒇𝟐 𝑹
𝑹
n= +𝟏
𝒇𝟐

Where n=Refractive index of the liquid

R=The radius of the curvature of the
convex lens.

3.The radius of the lower surface of the convex

lens is given by:
𝒍𝟐 𝒉
R= +
𝟔𝒉 𝟐

Here, l is the average distance between the legs

of the spherometer and h is the difference in
the reading of the spherometer when placed
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first on the convex lens and then on plane
mirror.

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PROCEDURE:
(a) For focal length of convex lens:
1.Find the rough focal length of the convex
lens.
2.Place a plane mirror on the horizontal base
of the iron stand and then a convex lens on
the plane mirror.
3.Hold the needle in the clamp stand and
adjust its position on the stand such that
there is no parallax between tip of the needle
and its image.
4.Measure distance between tip and upper
surface of the lens by using a plumb line and
half meter scale. Also measure the distance
between tip of needle and upper surface of
the mirror. Take the mean of the two
readings. This mean distance will be equal to
the focal length of the convex lens(f1)
.

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(b) For focal length of the combination.
5.Put a few drops of the water on the plane
mirror and put the convex lens over it with its
same face above as before. The water spreads
in a form of layer and acts like a plano-
concave lens.
6.Repeat the steps 3 and 4 to determine the
equivalent focal length of the combination.
7.Record the observation.
8.Repeat the steps 5,6,7 for other transparent
liquid(oil).

(c) For radius of curvature of convex lens

surface:
9.Determine the pitch and the least count of
the spherometer.
10.Remove the convex lens and dry it
completely. Put the spherometer on this lens
surface.

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11.All the three legs of the spherometer
should be placed symmetrically on the lens
and adjust the central screw tip to touch the
surface of the lens.
12.Remove the spherometer from the surface
of the lens and place on the plane mirror
surface and record the reading.
13.Repeat the steps 10 and 11 three times.
14.Obtain the impressions of the three legs of
the spherometer on a paper and mark them
and their average distance.

𝒍𝟏 + 𝒍𝟐 + 𝒍𝟑
l=
𝟑

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OBSERVATIONS :
Arrangement Distance of the Distance of Focal Length
needle tip from the needle tip F1= X1+x2
the lens surface from the 2
(x1) plane mirror
(x2)

Without any 10.1 10.9 10.5

liquid 10.2 10.8 10.4

Mean 10.4 cm

With water 15.3 16.1 15.7

15.0 15.8 15.4

Mean 15.55cm

With oil 18.5 19.3 18.9

18.3 19.1 18.7

Mean 18.8cm

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CALCULATION:
Calculation for Refractive Index of water
1 1
= + Type equation here.
𝐹 𝑓1

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RESULTS:
1. The refractive index of water 𝒏𝒘 =
2. The refractive index of other liquid 𝒏𝒍 =

PRECAUTIONS:
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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:
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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.

BIBLIOGRAPHY
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Following books and websites were a source
for my project –

1. www.Google.com
2. www.Wikipedia.com
3. www.scribd.com
4. Google Images
5. NCERT Physics textbook for class
XII part – II
6. Laboratory Manual for Physics

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