Physics Investigatory Project

INTRODUCTION
Many optical tasks require several lenses in order to

achieve an acceptable level of performance. One such
possible approach to lens combination is to consider the
image formed by each lens as the object for the next lens
and so on. This is a valid approach, but it is time
consuming and difficult. Liquid lens experiment can be
used to find the optical constants of a lens and also to
find the refractive indices of various liquids.
The theory behind the liquid lens is based on the

properties of one or more liquid to create magnification
within a small amount of space. The focus of a liquid
lens is controlled by the surface of the liquid. Water
normally form a bubble shape when adhered to
materials like glass. Those desirable property of water
makes it a very suitable candidate for the production of
liquid lens. Essentially the liquid must be transparent so
as to study its properties. To generate a liquid lens, a
liquid is sandwiched between two pieces of a clear plastic
or glass. Coconut Oil can also be used as a fluid in the
liquid lens system. The surface profiles of the liquid
1
determine the focal length of the liquid lens system and
how the liquid lens focuses the light rays.
If we keep the mirror behind the lens and put the object
at the focus of the lens above it, the image of the object
will be formed at the same focus where the object is. If it
is an extended object, its image will be inverted and the
size of the image is same as that of the object. This
property has enabled the efficient use of liquid lens to
find the refractive index of a fluid by this method. The
focal length of the liquid lens can be calculated knowing
the focal length of the combination and that of the
convex lens, from which the refractive index of the fluid
can easily be estimated.
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ABSTRACT
Aim is to find the refractive index of
1. Water,
2. Coconut Oil
using a plane mirror, and an equi-convex lens made of
glass and an adjustable object needle.
The theory behind liquid lens is based on the properties
of one or more liquids to create magnifications within a
small amount of space. The focus of a liquid lens is
controlled by the surface of the liquid .Water normally
forms a bubble shape when adhered to materials such as
glass.
This desirable property makes water a very suitable

candidate for the production of liquid lens. Essentially
the liquid must be transparent so as to study its effects.
To generate a liquid lens , a liquid is sandwiched
between two pieces of a clear plastic or a glass. Oil
(necessarily transparent) can also be chosen to be used as
a fluid in a liquid lens system. The surface profiles of the
liquid determines the focal length of liquid lens system
and how the liquid lens focusses light rays.
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APPARATUS
 The convex lens

 Plane mirror
 The liquid(Water)
 Coconut Oil
 Optical Needle
 Meter Scale
 Spherometer
 Retort stand, etc.
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THEORY
In optics, refractive index or index of refraction ‘n’ of a

substance (optical medium) is a dimensionless number
that describes how light or any radiation propagates
through that medium. It is defined as
n = c/v
where’ c’ is the speed of light in vacuum and ‘v’ is the
speed of light in a substance.
Let f1 and f2 are the focal lengths of liquid lens and

convex lens respectively, then focal length of the
combination is:
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Liquid lens formed is a plano concave lens with R1=R
(radius of curvature of convex lens surface), R2 is
infinity.
From Lens Maker's formula
Putting value of f1, n can be calculated.
The refractive index of water is ,
…….(ii)
To find the radius of curvature of the liquid lens using a

spherometer (R of convex lens surface in contact):
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PROCEDURE
Finding the focal length of convex lens:-
(i) The plane mirror is placed with the convex lens

placed on it above the horizontal base of a clamp
stand horizontally as its tip lies vertically above the
optic centre of the lens. The needle is adjusted at a
height a little more than the rough focal length of
the convex lens.
(ii) The tip of the needle is brought, at the vertical
principal axis of the lens, so that the tip of the
needle appears touching the tip of its image.
(iii) The needle is moved up and down to remove
the parallax between tips of needle and its image.
(iv) The distance between tip of the needle and
upper surface of the lens is measured by using a
meter scale. Let it be (x1 ).
(v) Again the distance between tip and upper
surface of the plane mirror is measured. Let it be x2
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Finding the focal length of the combination:-
(i) A few drops of the given transparent liquid are

taken and placed on the surface of plane mirror.
The convex lens is placed over it as before. (A
plano concave lens is formed between plane mirror
and convex lens).
The steps (ii) to (v) are repeated.
(vi) The observations are recorded.
The convex lens is turned towards a source such that, the

required surface is away from the source the distance is
to adjusted that the image is, formed on the side of the
source. The distance 'd' between the source and the lens
is measured.
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OBSERVATIONS
The observations of the experiment is tabulated as

follows:
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For Radius of Curvature by Spherometer,
Least Count = 0.01mm
Pitch(p) = 5mm/5= 1mm
Sl. Circular Scale Complete x= L.C.*x h=n*p+x*L.C.

No. Reading Rotations (a-b)/ (mm) (mm)
(n)
(100+a)-b
On On
Convex Glass
Lens Slab
(a) (b)
1. 40 5 1 35 0.35 1.35
l= 3cm
h=0.135 cm
R= l^2/6h + h/2
=9/6(0.135) + 0.135/2
= -11.17cm
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CALCULATIONS AND RESULTS
For water lens :

Focal Length of combination lens= F1 = 15.5 cm
Focal Length of convex lens= f2 = 10.4 cm
Therefore,
Focal Length of Water Lens is given by,
1/f1 = 1/F1 – 1/f2

= 1/15.5 – 1/10.4
= -0.032
Hence,
f1 = -31.25 cm
Refractive Index of water, n= 1+ R/f1

= 1+ (-11.7)/(-31.25)
= 1+0.34
= 1.34
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For Coconut Oil Lens :
Focal Length of combination lens= F2 = 18.8 cm
Focal Length of convex lens= f2 = 10.4 cm
Therefore,
Focal Length of Coconut Lens is given by,
1/f1 = 1/F2 – 1/f2
= 1/18.8 – 1/10.4
= -0.043
Hence,
f1 = -23.25 cm
Refractive Index of coconut oil , n= 1+ R/f1
= 1+ (-11.7)/(-23.25)
= 1+0.45
= 1.45
RESULT
1. Refractive Index of Water is 1.34
2. Refractive Index of Common Oil is 1.45
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PRECAUTIONS
 The parallax must be removed tip to tip properly.
 The lens and plane mirror should be cleaned

thoroughly.
 The liquid taken should be essentially transparent.
 Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that the

liquid lens layer is not thick.
13
SOURCES OF ERROR
 Liquid may not be quite transparent.
 The parallax any not be fully removed.
 The needle may not be properly horizontal.
 The distance x1 and x2 may not be essentially clean.
14
CONCLUSION
The experiment described in this project is an effective

and simple method of measuring the refractive index of
any liquid (transparent) using a convex lens and plane
mirror.
If we keep the mirror behind a lens and put an object at

the focus point of the lens above it, the image of the
object will form at the same focus point where the object
is. If it is an extended object, its image will be inverted
and the size of image is same as that of the object.
This property has enabled the efficient use of liquid lens

to find the refractive index of a fluid by this method. If a
liquid is sandwiched between the lens and the mirror, the
focal length of liquid lens can be calculated knowing the
focal length of the combination and that of the convex
lens, from which the refractive index of the fluid can
easily be estimated .
15
BIBLIOGRAPHY
Books
1) Pradeep’s Fundamental Physics for class XII by
Dr. K.L. Gomber and K.L.Gogia .
2) Modern’s abc of Physics for Class XII by Satish

K. Gupta .
3) S. Chand’s Principles of Physics for Class XII

by V.K. Mehta and Rohit Mehta .
Websites
1. www.experimentalphysics.com
2. www.wikipedia.com
3. https://www.azooptics.com/
4. https://holmarc.com/
5. https://www.edmundoptics.com/knowledge-center/
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Liquid Lens Technology
Fig below
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Fig: liquid lens apparatus.
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Physics Investigatory Project

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Physics Investigatory Project

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INTRODUCTION

Many optical tasks require several lenses in order to

The theory behind the liquid lens is based on the

This desirable property makes water a very suitable

 The convex lens

In optics, refractive index or index of refraction ‘n’ of a

Let f1 and f2 are the focal lengths of liquid lens and

Putting value of f1, n can be calculated.

The refractive index of water is ,

To find the radius of curvature of the liquid lens using a

Finding the focal length of convex lens:-

(i) The plane mirror is placed with the convex lens

(i) A few drops of the given transparent liquid are

The steps (ii) to (v) are repeated.

(vi) The observations are recorded.

The convex lens is turned towards a source such that, the

The observations of the experiment is tabulated as

Sl. Circular Scale Complete x= L.C.*x h=n*p+x*L.C.

For water lens :

1/f1 = 1/F1 – 1/f2

Refractive Index of water, n= 1+ R/f1

 The parallax must be removed tip to tip properly.

 The lens and plane mirror should be cleaned

 The liquid taken should be essentially transparent.

 Only few drops of liquid should be taken so that the

 Liquid may not be quite transparent.

 The parallax any not be fully removed.

 The needle may not be properly horizontal.

 The distance x1 and x2 may not be essentially clean.

The experiment described in this project is an effective

If we keep the mirror behind a lens and put an object at

This property has enabled the efficient use of liquid lens

2) Modern’s abc of Physics for Class XII by Satish

3) S. Chand’s Principles of Physics for Class XII

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Sl. Circular Scale Complete x= L.C.x h=np+x*L.C.