Pre-Lab question and answers

1. Mark the following statements about lenses as true or false.

(a) Incident parallel light rays converge if the lens’s focal length is negative.
(b) If the path of converging light rays is traced backward, the rays appear to come from a point
called the focal point.
(c) A double convex lens has a negative focal length.
(d) The focal length of a lens is always positive.
2. A double convex lens is made from glass with an index of refraction of n = 1.50. The
magnitudes of its radii of curvature R1 and R2 are 10.0 cm and 15.0 cm, respectively. What is
the focal length of the lens?
3. What is a virtual image? How is it different from a real image?
4. For a diverging lens, state what kinds of images can be formed and the conditions under which
those images can be formed.
5. For a converging lens, state what kinds of images can be formed and the conditions under
which those images can be formed.
6. A lens has a focal length of f = +10.0 cm. If an object is placed 30.0 cm from the lens, where is
the image formed? Is the image real or virtual?
7. An object is 16.0 cm from a lens. A real image is formed 24.0 cm from the lens. What is the
focal length of the lens?
8. One lens has a focal length of f = +15.0 cm. A second lens of focal length f = +20.0 cm is
placed in contact with the first lens. What is the equivalent focal length of the combination of
lenses?
9. Two lenses are in contact. One of the lenses has a focal length off = +15.0 cm when used
alone. When the two are in combination, an object 20.0cm away from the lenses forms a real
image 40.0 cm away from the lenses. What is the focal length of the second lens?
Answer
1. (a) False
(b) True
(c) False
(d) False
2. To find the focal length of the lens, we can use the lens-maker's formula:
1 1 1
= (𝑛 − 1)( − )
𝑓 𝑅1 𝑅2
1 1
= (1.50 – 1) (10 − 15)

= 0.5 * (0.1- 0.067)

= 0.5* 0.033
1
= 0.0165
𝑓

1
𝑓=
0.0165
𝑓 ≈ 60.6 𝑐𝑚
3. A virtual image is an image formed by the apparent intersection of light rays that do not
actually converge at the location of the image. It cannot be projected onto a screen. A real image,
on the other hand, is formed by the actual convergence of light rays and can be projected onto a
screen.
4. For a diverging lens, only virtual images are formed. These images are always upright and
located on the same side of the lens as the object. They are formed when the object is located
between the lens and its focal point.
5. For a converging lens, both real and virtual images can be formed. Real images are formed
when the object is located beyond the focal point of the lens, while virtual images are formed
when the object is located between the lens and its focal point.
6. Using the lens equation:
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑑0 𝑑𝑖
1 1 1
= +
10.0𝑐𝑚 30.0𝑐𝑚 𝑑𝑖
1 1 1
= −
𝑑𝑖 10.0𝑐𝑚 30.0𝑐𝑚
1 3−1
=
𝑑𝑖 30.0𝑐𝑚
1 2
=
𝑑𝑖 30.0𝑐𝑚
30.0𝑐𝑚
𝑑𝑖 = = 15.0 𝑐𝑚
2
The image is formed 15.0 cm from the lens. Since the image is formed on the opposite side of
the lens from the object, it is a real image.
7. Using the lens equation:
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑑0 𝑑𝑖
1 1 1
= +
𝑓 16 24
1 3+2
=
𝑓 48
1 5
=
𝑓 48
48
𝑓= = 9.6
5
8. The equivalent focal length of the combination of lenses in contact is found by adding the
reciprocals of their focal lengths.
1 1 1
= +
𝑓𝑒𝑞 𝑓1 𝑓2
1 1 1
= +
𝑓𝑒𝑞 15.0𝑐𝑚 20.0𝑐𝑚
1 4+3
=
𝑓𝑒𝑞 60𝑐𝑚
60
𝑓𝑒𝑞 = =8.57 cm
7

9. To solve this problem we can use the lens formula:

1 1 1
= +
𝑓 𝑓1 𝑓2
Given:
• f1 = +15.0 cm
• do = -20.0 cm (since the object is located 20 cm in-front of the lens)
• di = -40.0 cm
1 1 1 1 1 1
= + = = +
𝑓 𝑓1 𝑓2 40 15 𝑓2
600
𝑓2 = = −24 𝑐𝑚
−25
 1. Introduction
The focal length of a lens is a fundamental property that determines its optical behavior. It is
defined as the distance between the lens's focal point and the lens itself when the lens is focused
at infinity. In simpler terms, the focal length is the distance from the lens at which parallel rays of
light converge to a single point after passing through the lens.
The focal length of a lens is typically measured in millimeters (mm) and is a key factor in
determining the magnification and field of view of an optical system. Lenses with shorter focal
lengths have wider fields of view and greater magnification, making them suitable for wide-
angle photography or close-up shots. On the other hand, lenses with longer focal lengths have
narrower fields of view and lower magnification, making them ideal for telephoto photography
or capturing distant subjects.
In addition to its effects on magnification and field of view, the focal length also influences the
depth of field, which is the range of distances over which objects appear acceptably sharp in an
image. Shorter focal lengths result in greater depth of field, allowing more of the scene to be in
focus, while longer focal lengths produce shallower depth of field, which can be used to isolate
subjects from their background and create a blurred background effect known as bokeh.
Understanding the focal length of lenses is essential for photographers, videographers, and
anyone working with optical systems, as it directly impacts the composition and visual
characteristics of the images or videos produced. Different lenses with varying focal lengths
offer photographers and cinematographers a range of creative options for capturing scenes with
different perspectives, magnifications, and depths of field.
The objective of this experiment is:
- investigate the properties of converging and diverging lenses.
- determine the focal length of converging lenses both by a real image of a distant object
and by finite object and image distances.
- determine the focal length of a diverging lens by using it in combination with a
converging lens to form a real image

2. Theory
A beam of parallel rays to the principal axis of a convex lens converge to a point, called focal point, after
passing through a convex lens. The distance from the focal point to the center of the lens is known as the
focal length. The relation between the image distance S’, object distance S and focal length f is given by:
Suppose the lens produces a sharp image of the candle at the two positions as shown in the figure. Let the
distance between the object and the image be D and the distance between the two positions of the lens
leading to a sharp image be d. We have:

From the figure and the above relations, we have:

3. Apparatus
1. Optical bench
2. holders for lenses
3. a screen to form images
4. meter stick
5. concave lens
6. convex lenses different focal lengths
7. Lamp with object on face (illuminated object)
we used one lens only because the second lens was broken and was not replaced. Only one
lens was available.

4. Procedure
1. We place the screen at a distance D from the illuminated object as shown in the figure below:
2. We place the lens between the object and the screen at a point where a clear image appears on
the screen. We note the position of the lens stand.
3. Keeping the object and the screen fixed, we find a second position where the lens gives a well-
focused image on the screen.
4. we repeated the above steps for five different values of D

5. Data and data analysis

No trial D d D2 - d2 4D D2 − d2
𝑓 = 4𝐷
1 55 27.5 2268.75 220 10.3125
2 65 29.5 3354.75 260 12.9020
3 75 40.5 3984.75 300 13.2825
4 85 51.0 4624.00 340 13.5000
5 95 61.5 5242.75 380 13.8000

D2 − d2 Trial 3
𝑓= 752 − 40.52 =
4𝐷 𝑓= 13.2825
Trial 1 4(75)
552 − 27.52 Trial 4
𝑓= =10.3125 852 − 512 =
4(55) 𝑓= 13.5000
Trial 2 4(85)
652 − 29.52 = Trial 5
𝑓= 12.9020 952 − 61.52 =
4(65) 𝑓= 13.8000
4(95)

10.3125+12.9020+13.2825+13.5000+13.8000
𝑓 ave = 5

𝑓 ave = 12.7594 cm
 5242.75−2268.75
Slope = 𝑓* = = 18.5875
380−220
|12.7594− 18.5875| 5.8281
%Error = *100% = 18.5875*100% = 31.35%
18.5875

6. Result and discussion

Results
D2 − d2
- By using the lens formula (𝑓 = ), the focal length of the lens was calculated.
4𝐷

- The focal lengths of the lens was determined to be within the expected range based on their
specifications.
- A graphical representation of focal length versus lens position was created to observe any
patterns or deviations.
Discussion
- The experiment provided a hands-on understanding of the principles of lenses and image
formation.
- The accuracy of the focal length measurements was influenced by factors such as parallax error,
uncertainties in distance measurements, and imperfections in the optical elements.
- Comparing the calculated focal lengths with the nominal values helped evaluate the precision
of the experimental setup.
- Any discrepancies between the experimental and theoretical values could be attributed to
systematic errors in measurement techniques or imperfections in the lenses used.
- The graphical representation of focal lengths could reveal trends in the data, such as
consistency in focal length for multiple trials or variations based on lens characteristics.

7. conclusion
The experiment on determining the focal length of lenses provided a practical demonstration of
optical principles. The results obtained through calculations and observations contributed to a
deeper understanding of how lenses behave in terms of image formation and focal points.
Additionally, the experiment underscored the importance of accurate measurements and proper
experimental techniques in obtaining reliable results in the field of optics and physics. Further
refinements in experimental procedures could enhance the precision and reliability of focal
length determinations in future investigations.

8. Post-Lab questions and answers

Question
1. Two real images can be found for a given object screen distance. What are the similarities and
differences of the images? What general principle explain the existence of two images?
2. The lens in the human eye is convex. It forms real image on the retina therefore the image on
the retina is inverted. Despite this fact we see upright images. Is there any contradiction?
Answers
1. Two Real Images:
- Similarities: Both images formed by the lens are real, meaning they can be projected onto a
screen. They are also inverted, meaning they are upside down compared to the object.
Additionally, both images are formed by the convergence of light rays passing through the lens.
- Differences: The two images are located on opposite sides of the lens. One image is formed
on the side where the object is located, known as the near side or front side of the lens, while the
other image is formed on the opposite side, known as the far side or back side of the lens. The
two images may also differ in size and distance from the lens.
- General Principle: The existence of two images is explained by the fact that light rays passing
through a lens converge to form images. When an object is placed at a distance from the lens that
is less than the focal length, two real images are formed, one on each side of the lens. This
phenomenon is known as the "two-image formation" principle.
2. Human Eye and Image Formation:
- Despite the fact that the image formed on the retina of the human eye is inverted, we perceive
the world around us as upright. This is because our brain processes the visual information
received from the retina and interprets it as upright.
- There is no contradiction because our brain has evolved to interpret visual information in a
way that is consistent with our perception of the world. Even though the image formed on the
retina is inverted, our brain automatically corrects for this inversion and presents us with an
upright image. This process is known as visual perception or visual processing, and it allows us
to perceive the world in a way that is meaningful and coherent to us.