BABAJI VIDHYASHRAM

RAY DIAGRAM I

RAY DIAGRAM II

OBSERVATION:
DETERMINATION OF FOCAL LENGTH OF THE CONVEX MIRROR
TABLE 1 : TO FIND THE FOCAL LENGTH OF THE CONVEX MIRROR USING CONVEX LENS
FOCAL LENGTH
POSITION OF POSITION OF
DIFFERENCE
S.NO. THE SCREEN THE MIRROR
X1 X2
[ X1 – X2 ] F = R cm
R 2
cm cm
cm
1

mean value of F = …………………….. cm

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Date :
Expt. No : CONVEX MIRROR – FOCAL LENGTH

AIM:
To determine the focal length of the given convex mirror using a convex lens.

APPARATUS REQUIRED:
Light source, convex mirror, biconvex lens, stand, screen, meter scale.

FORMULA USED:
The focal length ‘ F ’ of the convex mirror is determined using the formula

F = R cm
2
Where,
‘F’ is focal length of the convex mirror in cm, ‘R’ is the radius of curvature of the convex mirror.

PROCEDURE:
1. Place the light source, convex lens and a screen S1 the along a straight line as shown in ray diagram I.

2. To begin with, let the object distance be twice the focal length of the convex lens.

2. Adjust the screen S1 to obtain an inverted image of the source. Note the position of the screen as X1 .

3. Place the given convex mirror between the convex lens and the screen S1.

4. Adjust the convex mirror to produce a clear image of the source on another screen S2 placed near
the source [without disturbing S1].

5. Note the position of the convex mirror as X2 for which a clear image is obtained at S2.

4. The difference between the X1 and X2 gives the radius of curvature ‘R’ of the convex mirror.

5. Repeat the above procedure for different positions of the lens and determine the focal length using
the formula.

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CALCULATIONS:

FOCAL LENGTH

POSITION OF POSITION OF
THE SCREEN THE MIRROR
DIFFERENCE F = R cm
S.NO. [ X1 – X2 ] 2
X1 X2
R
cm cm
cm

mean ‘F’ = ……………………………………………………………………………….

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PRECAUTIONS:

1. The mirror, source and the screen should be vertical and in straight line.
2. Ensure the principal axis is parallel to the optic bench.
3. Take as many reading as possible to minimise error.
4. Note the reading from the centre of the mirror.
5. Do not disturb the position of the lens and the light source while noting the position of the
screen

SOURCES OF ERRROR:

1. Due to spherical, a perfectly sharp image cannot be obtained.

2. The formula is applicable to paraxial rays only.

RESULT:

The focal length of the given convex mirror was found to be ………......... cm.