DELHI PUBLIC SCHOOL RAU
INDORE
AISSCE PHYSICS PROJECT 2025-2026
Physics Project on
“Study combination of lenses and to determine the combined
focal length of the lens system”
Session 2025-26
Submitted to: Submitted by:
Ashwin Singh Rathore Nairit Goswami
PGT Physics XII - Science
Acknowledgement
I would like to thank my Physics teacher Mr. Ashwin Singh Rathore for guiding
me throughout this project work and helping me in my research work.
A special acknowledgement goes to our Principal Ms. Asha Nair who gave me
the golden opportunity to work on this wonderful project. Her invaluable guidance
has sustained my efforts in all the stages of this project work.
The kind support of our lab assistant helped me to line up the project.
I am also thankful to my family and friends who displayed appreciation and
motivated me to continue my work.
Place: Rau, Indore Name: Nairit Goswami
Date: 15/10/2025
Certificate
This is to certify that Nairit Goswami bearing roll no. 10 of
class XII A has successfully completed his physics Project work
on the topic “study combination of lenses and to determine
the combined focal length of the lens system” under the
guidance of Mr. Ashwin Singh Rathore during the session
2025-26 in partial fulfilment of the requirement of Physics
practical curriculum in AISSCE.
Internal Examiner External Examiner
Principal’s Signature
DECLARATION
I hereby declare that this project work entitled “study combination of lenses and to
determine the combined focal length of the lens system” submitted to DPS Rau, is a
record of original work done by me under the guidance of Ashwin Singh Rathore.
Name Nairit Goswami
Class\Sec. XII A
Signature
S. No. Topic Page No.
1 Introduction 5
2 Hypothesis 6
3 Aim 6
4 Theory / Apparatus Setup 7
5 Materials Required 8
6 Procedure 8-9
7 Observations 10
8 Calculations 10
9 Precautions 11
10 Sources of Error 11
11 Conclusion 12
12 Applications 12
13 References 13
INTRODUCTION
Many Optical tasks require several lenses in order to achieve an
acceptable level of performance. One such possible approach to lens
combination is to consider each image formed by each lens as the
object for the next lens and so on. This is a valid approach, but it is time
consuming and unnecessary.
In various optical instruments, two or more lenses are combined to
1. Increase the magnification of the image,
2. Make the final image erect with respect to the object,
3. Reduce certain aberrations.
It is much simpler to calculate the effective (combined) focal length and
principal point locations and then use the results in any subsequent
paraxial calculations. Two thin lenses of focal length f1 and f2
respectively which are in close contact, the effective focal length of the
combination will be given by
1/F=1/f1+1/f2
And the total magnification of the lens combination will be given by
M=m1*m2
If the lenses of focal length are separated by a finite distance d, the focal
length F of the equivalent lens is given by
1/F=1/f1+1/f2-d/f1f2
Hypothesis
When a convex and concave lens are placed at a finite
separation, the effective focal length of the combination will be
greater than that of the individual convex lens, and the system
will behave as a converging (convex) lens.
AIM
To find the effective focal length of a combination
of one convex and one concave lens separated
by a finite distance, and to study how the
separation affects the resultant focal length and
nature of the lens system. The experiment also
aims to understand the practical use of such lens
combinations in optical instruments like
microscopes and cameras.
Apparatus Setup / Theory
The experiment is based on the lens formula
and the concept of combination of two thin
lenses in contact or separated by a distance d.
The equivalent focal length (F) of the
combination is given by
1/F = 1/f1 + 1/f2 - d/f1f2
Where f and f are the focal lengths of the
convex and concave lenses respectively, and
d is the separation between them.
MATERIALS REQUIRED
[Link] optical bench with three uprights (central
upright, two outer uprights with lateral
movement)
[Link] convex lens
[Link] concave lens
[Link] lens holder
[Link] optical needles
[Link] metre scale
PROCEDURE
1. We took one concave and one convex lens.
2. Then, we found the rough focal length of the two
lenses L1 (convex) and L2 (concave) individually
having focal lengths of f1 and f2 respectively.
3. We kept the lenses in front of the window and
obtained a sharp image of the object placed at
infinity.
4. Then we measured the distance between lenses
and the image formed with the help of scale.
5. Then we found the accurate focal length of two
lenses L1 and L2 by using the experimental setup
individually and calculated its focal length
reading.
6. With left eye close, we saw with the right open
eye from the other end of the optical bench. An
inverted & enlarged image of the object needle
was seen. The tip of the image lied in the middle
of the lenses.
7. Then we mounted the thick optical needle in the
fourth upright near the other end of optical bench.
8. Then the height of the object needle was adjusted
such that its tip was seen in line with the tip of
the image when seen with the right open eye.
9. We saw that the image tip and image needle have
parallax on moving the eye towards right.
10. Then we combined the two lenses together with
the help of the two lens holder and we found its
accurate combine focal length.
OBSERVATIONS
Serial Lenses Rough Radius of f=R/2
No. focal curvature(R) (cm)
length
(cm)
1. Convex(L1) 9.5 20 +10
2. Concave(L2) 8 18 -9
The separation between the two convex and concave lens
is 7.2cm.
Therefore, the combined focal length is 14.516 cm.
CALCULATIONS
1/F=1/f1+1/f2-d/f1f2
1/F=1/10+1/ (-9)-7.2/ (10) (-9)
1/F=-1/90+7.2/90=6.2/90
F=90/6.2cm
Therefore, F=14.516cm
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.
SOURCES OF ERROR
The uprights may not be the vertical.
Parallax removal may not be perfect.
Use lenses with accurately known focal lengths.
Ensure the optical bench is level and stable.
Use a travelling microscope for precise alignment.
Take multiple readings to reduce random
errors
CONCLUSION
1. The combined focal length of one convex and one concave
having focal length 10 cm and 9 cm respectively and
separated by a distance of 7.2 cm is 14.516 cm.
2. So on combination of the one convex and one concave lens
the effective focal length increases and hence its effective
power decreases.
3. The effective nature of combined lens system is converging
i.e. convex lens since focal length for the system comes out
to be positive.
Applications
1. Used in telescopes, microscopes, and cameras.
2. Helps correct optical aberrations.
3. Used in eyepieces to improve image sharpness.
References
1. NCERT Physics Textbook – Class XII (Part I)
Chapter: Ray Optics and Optical Instruments
2. Physics Practical Manual – Class XII (CBSE)
3. Basic Concepts of Lens Combination – S. Chand Publications,
Optics by N. Subrahmanyam & Brij Lal
4. Principles of Optics by Hecht & Zajac,
Pearson Education
5. School Laboratory Manual and Teacher’s Notes
Guidance by Mr. Ashwin Singh Rathore
6. Online Educational Resources:
o Physics Classroom (Ray Optics Section)
o BYJU’s / Toppr (Lens Formula & Ray Diagrams)