GEOMETRIC OPTICS FOR SPHERICAL MIRRORS AND LENSES

Course: PHY161
Section: 17250

Student Name: Javier Santos

Lab Partner: Henry Yang

Instructor: Victoria Paukova

Experiment Performed: 04/25/2024

Report Written: 05/23/2024
Objective:
To study the geometry of propagation of light reflected from spherical mirrors and light
passing through spherical lenses.
Task 1: Use ray diagrams to construct images produced by spherical mirrors and lenses.
Task 2: Verify the Mirror Equation.
Task 3: Verify the Lens Equation.
Task 4: Verify the formula of magnification of concave mirrors and converging lenses.

Theory:
This lab aims to investigate the principles of geometric optics using spherical mirrors and
lenses. We will explore the laws of reflection and refraction and how they apply to the formation
of images by mirrors and lenses. By conducting experiments with concave and convex mirrors
and lenses, we will observe the behavior of light rays and validate the theoretical concepts.

Geometric optics is a branch of optics that describes light propagation in terms of rays.
The study of spherical mirrors and lenses is crucial for understanding how light can be
manipulated to form images. This lab focuses on the behavior of light as it interacts with
spherical mirrors and lenses, governed by the principles of reflection and refraction.

Reflection is the phenomenon where light rays bounce off a surface. According to the law
of reflection, the angle of incidence (𝜃 i) is equal to the angle of reflection (𝜃 r). This law can be
mathematically expressed as: θi = θr

This principle holds for both flat and curved surfaces, making it fundamental in
understanding how light interacts with different materials. Spherical mirrors are categorized into
concave and convex mirrors. A concave mirror converges light rays to a focal point, whereas a
convex mirror diverges light rays. The mirror equation, which relates the object distance (d o),
image distance (di), and the focal length (f), is given by:

Refraction occurs when light passes from one medium into another, causing a change in its speed
and direction. This bending of light is described by Snell's Law, which relates the angle of
incidence (𝜃i) and the angle of refraction (𝜃r) to the indices of refraction of the two media (n1
and n2): n1sin(𝜃i) = n2sin(𝜃r)
Lenses are optical devices made of transparent material that refract light rays to converge or
diverge them to form images. There are two main types of lenses: converging (convex) and
diverging (concave). The lensmaker's equation, which relates the object distance (do), image
distance (di), and the focal length (f), is:

Method:

1. Apparatus used in this Experiment:

• Laser kit
• Ruler, protractor, fine point pencil and color pencils
• 360 protractor paper
• Masking tape
• LED lamp
• Beaker with clean water

2. Experimental Setup:
2.1. The first experimental setup me and my lab partner did was to listen to the demo
and instructions from the Professor.
2.2. After the demo, we then proceeded to set up the apparatus for part 1 and part 2 of
the experiment.
2.3. Wait for the professor’s instruction before starting the experiment.

3. Procedure:
First, we set up a light source and placed a white screen on a flat surface, securing
it with tape to prevent movement. For Part 1, we placed a concave mirror on the screen
and directed a parallel beam of light towards it. We traced the reflected rays to locate the
focal point and measured the focal length of the concave mirror. In Part 2, we repeated
the procedure with a convex mirror, traced the reflected rays to locate the focal point, and
measured the focal length of the convex mirror. For Part 3, we placed a convex lens on
the screen and directed a parallel beam of light through it. We traced the refracted rays to
 locate the focal point and measured the focal length of the convex lens. In Part 4, we
repeated the procedure with a concave lens, traced the refracted rays to locate the focal
point, and measured the focal length of the concave lens. Finally, we concluded by
summarizing the observations, comparing the experimental results with theoretical
predictions, discussing any discrepancies and possible sources of error, and reflecting on
the principles of geometric optics and their verification through the experiment.

Data Collection and Calculations:

Figure 1. Concave Mirror

Calculations:
Given:
f = 5.9 cm, ho = 1.6 cm, hi = 1.3 cm, do = 15.4 cm, di = 9.6 cm

Further answers for questions 12-17 are shown after conclusion.

 Figure 2. Converging (Bi-Convex) Lens

Calculations:
Given:
f = 5.5 cm, ho = 1.5 cm, hi = 1.35 cm, do = 12.7 cm, di = 10.5 cm

Further answers for questions 14-19 are shown after conclusion.

Discussion and Conclusion:
The experiment on geometric optics for spherical mirrors and lenses provided insights
into the behavior of light as it interacts with curved surfaces. By using concave and convex
mirrors, we were able to visually trace the paths of reflected rays, confirming the mirror equation
and the principles of image formation for spherical mirrors.

Our key observations included the behavior of light at concave and convex mirrors,
where we noted the convergence and divergence of light rays, respectively. In the lens part of the
experiment, using convex and concave lenses, we observed how light rays refract through lenses
to either converge or diverge, verifying the lensmaker's equation. We also explored the focal
points and the formation of real and virtual images by adjusting the object distances and
measuring the corresponding image distances.

Finally, we investigated the refraction of light through convex and concave lenses, noting
the bending of light rays as they entered and exited the lenses. The focal lengths of the lenses
were measured and compared with theoretical values, showing good agreement and validating
our understanding of lens behavior.

In conclusion, the experiment on geometric optics for spherical mirrors and lenses was a
success and provided how light interacts with curved surfaces and optical elements. The
consistent patterns observed reaffirmed the fundamental principles of light behavior, enhancing
our understanding of optical phenomena and their practical applications in devices such as
telescopes, microscopes, and corrective lenses.

Questions:
PART I:
12. If the object’s position is placed so that do < f, can an image be created? If so, what
type? Explain your answer.
Yes, an image can be created when the object’s position is placed such that
the object distance ( 𝑑o ) is less than the focal length ( 𝑓 ) of a lens. When 𝑑o < 𝑓, the
lens forms a virtual, upright, and magnified image. This is because the light rays
diverge after passing through the lens and appear to come from a point on the same
side of the lens as the object.

13. If the object is positioned so that do = f, can an image be created? Explain your
answer.
 No real image is formed because the light rays emerging from the object are
refracted by the lens and become parallel to each other.

14. Which mirrors can be used for projecting images on a screen?

Concave mirrors can be used for projecting images on a screen.

15. Which mirrors can produce real images? Under which conditions?
Concave mirrors and under specific conditions, the object should be beyond
the Focal Point (do > f). When an object is placed at a distance greater than the
focal length of a concave mirror, the reflected light rays converge to form a real
image.

16. Which mirrors can produce virtual images? Under which conditions?
Both Concave and Convex mirrors. Concave mirrors produce virtual images
when the object is placed within the focal length. Convex mirrors always produce
virtual images, no matter where the object is located.

17. Provide at least two examples of where concave mirrors are used.
Telescopes and the Headlights of Vehicles

PART II:
14. Assume the focal length is 4 cm, the object is placed at the focal point and the height
of the object is 3 cm. Would an image be created? Explain your answer.
When an object is placed at the focal point of a converging lens, no image is
formed. This is because the light rays after passing through the lens emerge parallel
to each other and do not converge or diverge to form an image

15. If do < f, would an image be created? Explain your answer

Yes, because the light rays diverge after passing through the lens, and their
extensions appear to converge, creating the virtual image.
16. Which lenses can be used for projecting images on a screen?
Converging lenses, because they can converge light rays to form a real,
inverted image at a specific distance, which can then be projected onto a screen.

17. Which lenses can produce real images? Under which conditions?
Converging lenses (convex lenses) can produce real images. Real images are
formed when the object is placed at a distance greater than the focal length ( 𝑑 𝑜 >
𝑓 ). But only if the object beyond twice the Focal Length ( 𝑑 𝑜 > 2 𝑓) or the Object
should be between focal length and twice the Focal Length

18. Which lenses can produce virtual images? Under which conditions?
Both converging (convex) lenses and diverging (concave) lenses but only
when the object is placed closer to the lens than its focal length ( 𝑑 𝑜 < 𝑓 ).

19. Provide at least two examples of where converging lenses are used.
Cameras and Magnifying Glasses