Optics Lab Practical
Determine the focal length of a lens and of a mirror.
Lab Summary
There are two versions of this experiment of the month. In the first version, students determine the focal length of a lens. In the second version, students determine the focal length of a mirror.
Published: March 2007
Set-Up & Procedures:
Lens Version
Your physics teacher provides an optics bench, a light source, a lens holder, a lens and a viewing screen. Your task is to find the focal length of the lens.
- List the steps to accurately and precisely determine the focal length of the lens. Include all of your data and analysis.
- Choose a particular distance between the lens and light source that produces a clear image.
a. Draw and label a ray diagram that includes the positions of the light source, lens and viewing screen.
b. Which of the following describes the image?* Real
* Virtual
* Upright
* Inverted
* Larger than Object
* Smaller than Object
* Same size as the Object
Mirror Version
Your physics teacher provides an optics bench, a light source, a mirror and a viewing screen. Your task is to find the focal length of the mirror.
- List the steps to accurately and precisely determine the focal length of the mirror. Include all of your data and analysis.
- Choose a particular distance between the mirror and light source that produces a clear image.
a. Draw and label a ray diagram that includes the positions of the light source, mirror and viewing screen.
b. Which of the following describes the image?* Real
* Virtual
* Upright
* Inverted
* Larger than Object
* Smaller than Object
* Same size as the Object
Downloads
- Optics Lab Practical (20 KB, .doc)
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Basic Optics System (OS-8515C) - $498
A group of components designed to allow students conduct various optical experiments.
