Lenses SMU Physics 142L – 172L Lenses Purpose: This lab will explore the optical properties of convergent lenses. You will find the focal length of several lenses by three methods. Once the focal lengths are known, you will determine the refractive index of the glass used to make the lenses. Introduction: Lenses can be either convergent (+) or divergent (-). Convergent lenses focus (converge) parallel light rays entering the lens at a focal point. The distance from the center of the lens to that focal point is the focal length of the lens. The focal length is dependent on the refractive index of the lens material and radius of curvature of the lens surfaces. Divergent lenses will take the same parallel light rays and bend them away from each other: Convergent lens Divergent lens Focal Point In this lab we will be using symmetric converging lenses with focal lengths between 5 and 25 cm, although if you are looking for a challenge, there are asymmetric lenses available—just ask. Procedure: Choose at least two lenses to work with. Each lens must have a focal length at least two cm different than the other lens(es) you will be using. No more than one lens can have a diameter of less than 6cm. The following methods for determining focal length can be performed in any order, although the diopter method will give the quickest determination that the focal lengths are sufficiently different. Far Object Method: Assemble the optical bench with a lens holder (with lens) and a screen as shown. Ensure center of lens and screen are at the same height. Lens Screen Outside, point the optical bench at some distant object with sharp angles and/or high contrast (the chapel works well.) Adjust the screen to bring the projected image into the best focus. The thin lens equation to determine focal length is: where f is the focal length, do is the distance from the lens to the object, and di is the distance from the lens to the image. Because the distance to the object is very large relative to the distance to the image, the light rays from the object can be considered to be parallel, and the distance from the lens to the image is the same as the focal length. (The limit of as do approaches ∞ is 0) Near Object Method: Assemble the optical bench with a light source, object, lens holder (with lens) and screen as shown. Ensure center of light, object, lens and screen are at the same height. Lens Screen Object Lamp Adjust the object and the screen to bring the projected image into the best focus. The same thin lens equation applies, but the distance from lens to object must be included: . Note the orientation and size of the image. Use at least two different object distances to find an average focal length for each lens. The magnification can be found by the equation where hi is the height of the image and ho is the height of the object. ...