To Find the Refractive Index of a Liquid by Using a

Convex Lens and Plane Mirror

Aim
To find the refractive index of a liquid using a convex lens and plane mirror.

Apparatus
Convex Lens

Plane Mirror

Optical Needle

The clean transparent liquid in a clean beaker

An iron stand with base and clamp arrangement

Plane glass slab

Plumb Line

Spherometer

Half metre scale

Theory
Let us consider f1 and f2 to be the focal length of the glass convex lens and liquid lens
respectively and let F be the focal length of their combination, then

1 1 1
= +
F f1 f2

From the lens maker’s formula

We have,

1 1 1
= (n − 1)[ − ]
f2 R1 R2
Simplifying further, we get

1 (n−1)
=
f2 R

Inserting values of f2, n can be calculated.

Diagram

Procedure

For the focal length of the convex lens,

Choose a convex lens and find its rough focal length.

Place the plane mirror on the horizontal base of the iron stand

Place the convex lens on the plane mirror

Screw tight the optical needle in the clamp of the stand and hold it horizontally above the
lens at a distance equal to its rough focal length.

Bring the tip of the needle to the principal vertical axis of the lens so the tip of the needle
appears to be touching the tip of its image.

Move the needle up and down and remove the parallax between the tips of the needle
and its image.

Measure the distance between the tip and upper surface of the lens using a plumb line
and half metre scale.

Also, measure the distance between the tip and the surface of its plane mirror.
For the Focal Length of the Combination
Take a few drops of transparent liquid on the plane mirror and put a convex mirror over it.

Repeat 6, 7 and 8.

Record your observations.

(c) For the radius of curvature of the convex lens surface

Observations

1. The rough focal length of convex lens = _____ cm

Arrangeme The distance of Needle Tip Focal

nt Length

x (cm)
From lens surface x1 From plane mirror x2 x1+x2
M ean x =
(cm) (cm)
2

(cm)

1 (2a) (2b) (2c) (3)

Without f1 =
Liquid _____

With Liquid F=
_____

The radius of curvature of the convex lens surface, R = _____ cm.

Calculations
1 1 1
= −
f2 F f1

R
n = 1 +
f2

Precautions
1. Only a few drops of liquid should be taken so as not to thicken the layer.

2. The parallax should be removed tip to tip.

3. The liquid taken should be transparent.

Sources of Error
1. The liquid may not be quite transparent.

2. The parallax may not be fully removed.

Viva Voce
1. What is the Refractive Index of a medium?

The ratio of the velocity of light in a vacuum to the velocity of light in the given medium.

2. What are the factors affecting the refractive index of a medium?

The factors affecting the refractive index are

the nature of the material

and the wavelength of light used

3. Can the refractive index of a medium be less than or equal to 1?

The Refractive index of a transparent medium is always greater than 1. because the speed of
light in any medium is always less than that in a vacuum.

4. What are the laws of reflection?

The laws of reflection state that :

(a) The angle of incidence is always equal to the angle of reflection.

(b) The angle of incidence, angle of refraction and the normal to the point of incidence all lie in
one plane.

5. Which substance has the greatest refractive index?

Diamond (2.42) has the greatest refractive index.

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