BIRZEIT UNIVERSITY

Physics Department

Physics 111

Experiment No. 5

Focal Length of a Convex Lens

Students Name:

Malik Younis Qdeimat

Students No.: 1112283

Partners Name:

Omar Al-Faroq

Partners No. : 1110168

Instructor:

Ziad Said

Section No.: 5

Date : 03.03.2012

 Abstract:
1) The aim of the experiment is to find the focal
length of a convex lens by calculations.
2) The method used is by plotting a graph between
the inverted value of a distance (V) from the lens to
where the image formed and the inverted value of a
distance (u) from the lens to the object. Then we can
find the magnitude of (f) which represent the focal
length.
3) The main results are:

f = ( 15.4

0.5 ) cm

Theory:
In the figure below, When an object is placed at a
distance (u) from the lens, an inverted image is formed
on the other side of the lens.

We can find the focal length (f), defined as the distance

from the lens to the point of convergence of the rays
coming from infinity by this equation:
1
1
1

f
U V

Where (u) is the distance between the object and the

lens, and (v) is the distance between the inverted image
and the lens.
To find (f) by calculations, we should plot the graph of
1
V

vs

1
U

which is a straight line and find the X-axis (f x)

and y-axis (fy) intercepts. Then we can find the focal

length(f) by this equation:
f

fx f y
2

One can find the uncertainty in f (f) directly from this

equation:
V U
2
2
U
V

f f 2

Where v and u is the uncertainty in v and u.

Procedure:

a- First of all, we setup a lens, an illuminated object, which

was Letter

, and a screen, all in the same straight line.

b- At the beginning we put an object at the distance = 30

cm, and we moved the screen until we get a clear
inverted image.
c- We measured v and u by meter stick.
d- We moved the lens 10 cm toward the screen, then we
measured v and u again.
e- We did the fourth step 6 times.
f- I calculated the values

1 1 1
, ,

V U V

1
U

,U and V .

Data:
NO.

U(cm)
V(cm)
1/u cm-1
1/V cm-1

AVERA
GE
30.0
40.0
50.0
60.0
70.0
80.0
55.0
31.5
25.7
23.0
21.4
20.5
20.0
23.7
0.033 0.025 0.020 0.016 0.014 0.0125 0.0203
3
0
0
7
3
0.031 0.038 0.043 0.046 0.048 0.0500 0.0433
7
9
5
7
8

U 1.09 cm

V 1.09 cm

Calculations:
4

From graph;

X-axis intercept =
Y-axis intercept =

f1

1
14.6
0.0685

cm ,

f2

(0.0685 , 0)
(0 , 0.0615)

1
16.3
0.0615

cm

f1 f 2 14.6 16.3

15.4
2
2

Calculate f;
1.09
1.09
V U

2 (15.4) 2

2
2
U
(55.0) 2
V
(23.7)

f f 2

f = 0.5 cm

f = ( 15.4

0.5 ) cm

Results and Conclusion:

f = ( 15.4
We used the lens (

0.5 ) cm

) and the letter (

) instead of

illuminated object. We found the true value of (f) by

measuring

the

distance

from

lens

to

the

point

of

convergence of the rays coming from infinity. The true value

of (f) = 16.2 cm, Hence my result is accepted because the
discrepancy between the true value and my result (D=16.2-

15.4 = 0.8 cm) less than double random error (2f = 0.5 2
= 1 cm).( D 2f ).

Question: write down any systematic errors and

estimate them.
This experiment had a lot of errors so that the random

error in the result was large. For example, we faced problem

to find the clearest inverted image on the other side of the
lens, but we try to do the best in order to reduce systematic
errors.