Converging Lens

Magno, Jana Raiza S.

LBYPHYE A51
[email protected]

Abstract The experiment looked into one of the

important concepts of ray optics: lenses. Diverging lens
causes rays to diverge or spread out as they pass through
while converging lens causes them to converge or meet at a
point. This point where all converging lights meet forms
what we call the image. The results of the study showed
little to no consistency with the Fundamental Lens
Equation. However, the objectives of the study were still
obtained and therefore, the experiment can be considered
a success.

I. INTRODUCTION
The truth about our ability to see things is explained
through the capacity of light to form images by bouncing off Fig. 2 Converging lens diagram
from some source. Lenses are important components of
several optical systems such as telescopes, cameras and also A converging lens is a lens that causes these rays to
our eyes [1]. They are believed to form images using converge or meet at a certain point called the focus.
refraction. They can be categorized in different ways, and one When these converging rays of light meet, they form what
of these categorization is between a converging and a we call the image. An image formed by these lights can be
diverging lens. further described by the different qualities of light: real vs.
Assuming that the lenses are symmetrical across their virtual, upright vs. inverted, and magnification. To determine
horizontal axis, there is a line passing through the center the location of an image, a general equation is used called the
called the principal axis [2]. The rays of light travel parallel to Fundamental Lens equation [3]:
the principal axis. A diverging lens is a lens that causes rays
of light to diverge or spread out as they pass.
where: do = the object distance
di = the image distance
= focal length;
and, to determine the magnification of the image:

Thus, the main objective of the study was to test the

concepts and theories of lenses, specifically converging
lenses, and apply these equations to verify the understanding
of its principles.

II. METHODOLOGY

Fig. 1 Diverging lens diagram

Fig. 3 Converging lens equipment set-up [2]

The materials used were optics bench as the light source,

base-component holder, 150mm focal length convex lens,
crossed arrow target, and viewing screen. Although the data was inconsistent with the expected when
The crossed arrow target was used as the object or image based on the theory, the objectives of the study were still
source. The convex lens was used to refract the light coming obtained. It is recommended to carefully set the equipment in
from a light source which converges them to form the desired order to prevent or lessen the probability of obtaining
image that can be seen on the viewing screen. The image inaccurate results. It is also recommended to use a longer
distance and image height were measured according to the set base-component holder to avoid mistakes in measuring the
of values already given for the object distance (crossed arrow distances necessary for the experiment.
target to lens). The set of data gathered was used for necessary
calculations and interpretation. REFERENCES
[1] Louro, Alfredo A. Physics 323 Lecture Notes. Pat I:
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Optics. Lecture at The University of Calgary, Calgary,
Alberta. Accessed January 22, 2017.
TABLE I
https://www.staff.science.uu.nl/~gadda001/goodtheorist/fi
FUNDAMENTAL LINE EQUATION
les/louro_optics.pdf
[2] The Physics Classroom. The Anatomy of a Lens.
DATA CALCULATION
Accessed January 22, 2017.
http://www.physicsclassroom.com/class/refrn/Lesson-
DO (M DI HI 1/D1 + 1/F H F /H O -D I /D O 5/The-Anatomy-of-a-Lens
M) 1/DO [3] De La Salle University. Physics Laboratory 2 (compiled
experiments in Heat, Electricity & Magnetism, Optics).
50 25 40 0.06 0.007 2 -0.5 Accessed January 22, 2017.
http://www.dlsu.edu.ph/academics/colleges/co
75 25 35 0.05 0.007 1.75 -0.3 s/physics/experiments.asp

100 25 37 0.05 0.007 1.85 -0.25

150 540 23 0.008 0.007 1.15 -3.6

200 383 15 0.008 0.007 0.75 -1.915

250 320 10 0.007 0.007 0.5 -1.28

The results showed inconsistency with the Fundamental

Lens Equation. Based on this theory, as you increase do, di
must decrease its value. This was only applicable from
150mm to 250mm. This can be attributed to human error such
as wrong placement of object and lens or miscalculation of the
data gathered. It was also difficult to focus the image upon
reaching this range since the limit of the lens was 150mm,
thus, when do exceeded 150mm, the lens could not focus the
object and project the image on the screen. However, the
height of the image continued to decrease. This can be
attributed to the expected decrease in value of di, based on the
Fundamental Lens Equations, in which the image must also
shrink in size. Also, the calculated value for focal length from
150mm to 250mm are almost equal; therefore, the location of
the image within this range can be assumed to be correct.
Based on the magnification equation, the image formed
was inverted. However, based on observations, only from
150mm to 250mm did the image become inverted; thus,
creating bigger value for di.

IV. CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results, the experiment still presented the

important concepts and specific equations were applied.