Grade 10

Focal Length of Concave Mirror and Convex lens

Aim: To determine the focal length of: i) Concave mirror ii) Convex lens by obtaining the image
of a distant object.
Materials/Apparatus Required:
A convex lens, A concave Mirror, lens holder/stand, half meter scale and white screen.

S.No Position of the concave Position of the Focal length of Concave

mirror screen Mirror
A cm B cm (B – A cm)

1 30cm f1 =
2 35 cm
f2 =
3 40 cm
f3 =

Mean value of focal length of concave Mirror = F = f1 + f2 + f3/3

= ------------------------------------- cm

S.No Position of the convex lens stand A Position of screen B Focal length of convex
(cm) (cm) lens
(B – A) (cm)
1 30cm f1 =
2 35 cm f2 =
3 40 cm f3 =

Mean value of focal length of convex lens = F = f1 + f2 + f3/3

= ------------------------------------- cm

Precautions:
1. Always fix lens in vertical upright position.
2. When measuring the distance, the base of the lens and screen should be horizontal and parallel
to meter scale.
3. Distance object should be clearly visible with naked eyes.
4. Record the positon of screen and the convex lens/concave mirror only when a well defined,
inverted and diminished mage of a distance object is formed on the screen.
5. Position of the lens/mirror stand and screen stand should not be disturbed while measuring the
distances.
6. Move only the screen and not the lens or mirror.

Procedure:

1. Fix the concave mirror in the mirror holder and place it on edge of the table.
2. Mount a small candle vertically on a stand. Place it in front of the concave mirror on the
left hand side (i.e. shiny surface) say on focus 'F'.
3. Place the screen such that the lower level of screen must be so arranged that it remains just
above the principal axis of the mirror.
4. Locate a sharp image of candle by adjusting the position of the screen. Note and record the
position and nature of the image formed on the screen.
5. Repeat the experiment by placing candle at different positions as mentioned in observation
table below.

Result:

The focal length of the convex lens is ------------------------------ cm.

The focal length of the concave mirror is ------------------------------ cm.