Introduction
Light is a form of energy that travels in straight lines and enables us to
see objects around us. when light passes from one transparent medium
to another, such as from air into water or glass, its speed changes and the
ray bends from original path. This phenomenon is known as refraction
of light. The extent to which light bends depends upon the optical density
of the medium. To measure this property, the concept of refractive index
is used. The refractive index of a medium is defined as the ratio of the
speed of light in vacuum to its speed in that medium. It is an important
physical quantity used to study the optical behaviour of transparent
substances.
Different liquids possess different refractive indices because light travels
through them at different speeds. Determining the refractive index of
liquids is very useful in the fields of optics, chemistry, medicine,
photography, and lens manufacturing. It also helps in checking the
purity and concentration of liquids used in laboratories and industries.
A convex lens is a transparent optical device thicker at the centre and
thinner at the edges. It converges parallel rays of light to a point called
the principal focus When a thin layer of liquid is placed between a
convex lens and plane mirror, a liquid lens is formed.
Due to the refraction of light through this liquid layer, the effective focal
length of the lens system changes. By comparing the focal lengths before
and after introducing the liquid can be calculated accurately.
In this experiment, the refractive index of a given liquid is determined
using a convex lens and a plane mirror. The experiment is based on the
principles of refraction, image formation, and combination of lenses.
It provides a practical understanding of optical phenomena and
demonstrates how simply laboratory instruments can be used to
determine important physical properties of liquids.
To find the refractive index of
liquid using convex lens
and plane mirror
AIM: To determine the refractive index of a liquid using a convex
lens and plane mirror.
APPARATUS: Convex lens
plane mirror
Transparent liquid
Optical needle
Iron stand with clamp
Plumb line
Half metre scale
Spherometer
Beaker
PROCEDURE:
(A) For focal length of convex lens
1. Take any one convex lens and find its rough focal length.
2. Take a plane mirror and place it on horizontal base of the iron stand.
3. Place the convex lens on the plane mirror.
4. Screw tight the optical needle in the clamp of the stand and hold it
horizontally above the lens at distance equal to its rough focal length.
5. Bring the tip of the needle at the vertical principal axis of the lens, so
that tip of the needle appears touching the tip of its image.
6. Move the needle up and down and remove parallax between tips of the
needle and its image.
7. Measure distance between tip and upper surface of the lens by using a
plumb line and half metre scale.
8. Also measure distance between tip and the surface of its plane mirror.