To find the focal length of
a convex lens by plotting
graphs between u and v
Name - Yogi Mungi
Class - 12-C
Roll no. 31
Subject - Physics Investigatory Project
Acknowledgment
I sincerely thank our Physics Teacher Mrs. Savita Mam and principal
Mrs. Swati Aru Mam for her guidance, encouragement and support
throughout the duration of the project. Without her motivation and
help the successful completion of this project would not have been
possible. I would like to extend my gratitude to entire Physics
Department of Blossom Public School for their constant support.
Index
• Certificate
• acknowledgment
• aim
• objective
• apparatus required
• theory
• procedure
• observation
• results
• precautions
• bibliography
AIM
To find the focal length of a convex lens by plotting graphs
between u and v
Apparatus Required
• Convex lens (typically focal length less than 20 cm)
• Lens holder to securely fix the lens
• Optical bench with a scale for precise measurements
• Three uprights for mounting:
• One central fixed upright for the lens
• Two outer uprights with lateral movement for object (object needle/pin)
• image (image needle/pin)
• Object needle or pin to act as the object whose image is to be formed
• Image needle or pin for parallax removal and image formation
• Meter scale or half-meter rule for distance measurements
• Optional: Candle, wire mesh, or white screen for enhanced visibility
Theory
The fundamental relationship for a convex lens is given by the lens
formula:
1/f = 1/v - 1/u
where:
[f] is the focal length of the lens,
[u] is the distance of the object from the optical center of the lens
(taken as negative by sign convention)
[v] is the distance of the image from the optical center of the lens
(taken as positive).
Procedure
• Mount the object needle, convex lens (in holder), and image needle on the optical bench, ensuring that the
tips and lens center are in a straight line and at the same height
• Adjust the lens and needles parallel to the optical bench; use a spirit level to confirm alignment when possible
• Place the object needle (pin) on one side of the lens at a distance greater than the approximate focal length
(found by distant object method)
• Position the image needle on the opposite side of the lens. Looking from a suitable distance (at least 30 cm),
use the parallax method: move the image needle until the image of the object needle and the tip of the image
needle appear to coincide
• Record the positions of object needle (u), image needle (v), and the lens. Calculate u and v, measuring from
the lens's optical center
• Repeat the experiment for different values of u by moving the object needle and adjusting the image needle
each time to remove parallax at the image location. Record u and v in each case. Take at least five readings for
accuracy
• Enter all readings in a table with columns for u, v, 1/u and 1/v as required for graphical calculation
• Plot the u-v graph (u on X-axis, v on Y-axis) using the collected data. The intersection point where u = v gives
2f; so, focal length is half this value
• Alternatively, plot 1/u against 1/v. Both axes' intercepts correspond to 1/f. Find f from these intercepts
• Ensure all measurements are precise, with correct index correction for distances, alignment, and sharp image
formation for accuracy
Observation
Object Length Image U V
[Link] Needle
1. 30 50 70 -20 20
2. 25.5 50 65.5 -24.5 15.5
3. 23 50 63 -27 13
4. 20 50 61 -30 11
5. 15 50 56 -35 10
Result
The focal length of the given convex lens, as determined from the u-v graph and 1/u vs
1/v graph, is approximately 10 cm.
Precautions
• Tips of the object and image needles should lie at the same
height as the centre of the lens.
• Parallax should be removed from tip to tip by keeping eye at
a distance at least 30 cm away from the needle.
• The object needle should be placed at such a distance that
only real, inverted image of needle is formed.
• Index correction for u and v should be applied.
Bibliography
• Physics NCERT
• Physics Lab Manual