
Using the above diagram as a guide, carry out the following instructions.
- Fix a metre rule on the bench with its graduated side facing up.
- Place the illuminated object at the 0cm end and the screen at the 100cm end of the rule such that the distance d between the illuminated object and screen is 100cm.
- Record the distance d. Also, evaluate and record d\(^{2}\).
- Place and move the Converging lens between the illuminated object and the Screen until a sharp diminished image of the object is formed on the screen.
- Read and record the position Ih of the lens.
- Now move the lens towards the object until another sharp image of the object is formed on the Screen.
- Read and record the new position l\(_{2}\) of the lens.
- Evaluate and record L= (l\(_{1}\) – I\(_{2}\)), also evaluate L\(^{2}\) and D = d\(^{2}\) – L\(^{2}\).
- Repeat the procedure for four values of d= 85, 75, 65 and 55cm. Tabulate your readings.
- Plot a graph or Don the vertical axis against d on the horizontal axis.
- Determine the slope, s, of the graph.
- Evaluate k = \(\frac{s}{4}\).
- State two precautions taken to obtain accurate results.
(b)i. Explain the statement the focal length of a converging lens is 15cm.
ii. Distinguish between a real image and a virtual image.
Explanation
| d(cm) | d\(^{2}\)(cm) | l\(_{1}\) | l\(_{1}\) | L=(l\(_{1}\)-l\(_{2}\)) | L\(^{2}\) | D=(d\(^{2}\)-L\(^{2}\)) |
| 100 | 10,000 | 79.8 | 59.5 | 20.3 | 412.09 | 9587.90 |
| 85 | 7225 | 63.6 | 20.3 | 43.3 | 1874.89 | 5350.11 |
| 75 | 5626 | 51.6 | 23.6 | 28.0 | 784.00 | 4841.00 |
| 65 | 4225 | 38.3 | 21.6 | 16.7 | 278.89 | 3946.11 |
| 55 | 3025 | 33.5 | 26.5 | 07.0 | 049.0 | 2976.00 |
k = \(\frac{s}{4} = \frac{146.9}{4}\) = 36.733
Precautions:
- Parallax error on reading metre rule was avoided.
- The optical components are correctly aligned.
- The vertical placement of the lens ensured.
- Repeated readings (shown on the table)
(b)i. This means that the distance between the optical centre (or middle of lens) of the lens and its principal focus is 15cm.
| Real image | Virtual image |
|
(i) Can be received/formed on a screen |
(i) Cannot be received/formed on a screen. |