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INVESTIGATORY PROJECT Determination of Refractive Index of A Liquid Using A Concave Mirror and A Plane Mirror

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223 views17 pages

INVESTIGATORY PROJECT Determination of Refractive Index of A Liquid Using A Concave Mirror and A Plane Mirror

Uploaded by

gargi.iitjee2025
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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SESSION 2024-25

Physics
INVESTIGATORY PROJECT
Determination of Refractive Index of a liquid
using a concave mirror and a plane mirror

by:-

Maanasvi Bhatt
2024-25

Table of
CONTENTS
01 Certificate
02 Acknowledgement
03 Aim Of Project
04 Introduction
05 Formula Used
06 Procedure
07 Requirements
08 Observation
09 Principle Involved
10 Application To Society

11 Future Scope
12 Biblography
CERTIFICATE
This is to certify that Maanasvi Bhatt of class XII B
has completed her physics project titled “To find the
refractive index of a liquid using a concave mirror
and a plane mirror.” under the guidance of
Ms.Sangeeta Sood for the academic year 2024-25.

The certified student has been dedicated


throughout his/her research and completed her
work before the given deadline without missing any
important details from the project. It is also
certified that this project is the individual work of
the student and can be submitted for evaluation.

Teacher’s signature
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
I’d like to thank my Physics teacher, Mrs. Sangeeta
Sood as well as our principal, Mrs. Swarnima
Luthra, for providing me with this fantastic
opportunity to work on this project.

A special thanks to my parents for their


encouragement and assistance in completing this
project on time. I also want to thank my friends,
who have always supported me in completing this
project.

Student Signature:
Name:
Class & Section:
Board Roll No:
AIM OF PROJECT
To determine the refractive index of a liquid using a
concave mirror and a plane mirror.

INTRODUCTION
The refractive index of a medium is a fundamental
property that describes how light propagates through
that medium.
It is defined as the ratio of the speed of light in a
vacuum to the speed of light in the medium.

n = C/V

Understanding the refractive index is crucial in various


optical applications, such as lenses, prisms, and fiber
optics. This project focuses on a simple yet effective
method to determine the refractive index of a liquid
using mirrors.

In this project, we delve into the intriguing world of


optics to explore a hands-on approach to determining
the refractive index of a liquid. By employing a setup
comprising a concave mirror and a plane mirror, we
aim to elucidate the concept of refractive index through
practical experimentation.
THEORY
The experiment is based on Snell's Law, which
describes the relationship between the angles of
incidence and refraction when light passes through
different mediums. When light travels from one
medium to another with a different refractive index,
it changes direction. The concave mirror and plane
mirror setup allows us to measure and calculate the
refractive index of the liquid by observing the
reflected and refracted light rays.

APPARATUS REQUIRED
1. Concave Mirror
2. Plane Mirror
3. Liquid
4. Optical Bench
5. Light Source.
6. Screen
7. Stand for Holding Mirrors
DIAGRAM
FORMULA USED

Lens Formula for Concave Mirror:


The lens formula for a concave mirror relates
the object distance (u), the image distance (v),
and the focal length (f) of the mirror. It is given
by:
1/f = 1/v + 1/u ​
In the experimental setup, the concave mirror is
used to form an image of the light source.
PROCEDURE
Place the optical bench on a level surface and
secure it in place.
Mount the concave mirror and the plane mirror
at appropriate distances on the optical bench.
Fill the space between the concave mirror and
the plane mirror with the liquid whose refractive
index is to be determined.
Position the light source to direct a beam of light
towards the concave mirror.
Adjust the position of the mirrors and the light
source until a clear image is formed on the
screen.
Measure the distances between the mirrors, the
angles of incidence and reflection, and any other
relevant parameters.
Record the measurements accurately
Repeat the procedure for different
configurations
Use the recorded data to calculate the refractive
index of the liquid using the principles of optics
and Snell's Law.
OBSERVATION TABLE

CALCULATION

RESULT
INTERPRETATION
The experimental setup involving the concave mirror,
plane mirror, and liquid medium provided valuable
insights into the behavior of light. Through
measurements, we were able to observe the
phenomena of reflection and refraction and quantify
the refractive index of the liquid under investigation.
The formation of a clear image on the screen was a
critical aspect of the experiment.

Overall, the interpretation of the experimental results


reaffirmed the fundamental relationship between light
and matter, emphasizing the significance of the
refractive index in shaping the behavior of light and its
applications in various optical systems.

PRECAUTIONS
The mirror and surface of the water should be very
clean.
The needle should be clamped properly in
horizontal position.
The parallex between the optical needle and its
image should be removed properly
SOURCES OF ERROR
The needle may not be proper horizontal.
Parallex may not be removed properly.

APPLICATION TO SOCIETY
The research holds significant relevance beyond the
confines of the laboratory, with implications that
extend to various sectors of society.

Optical Instrumentation Development:


The insights can be instrumental in the design
and development of advanced optical
instruments. This knowledge forms the basis for
creating precision lenses, microscopes,
telescopes, and other optical devices crucial in
scientific research

Educational Outreach and STEM Advocacy:


Projects like the one conducted to determine the
refractive index of a liquid serve as valuable
educational tools. They inspire curiosity,
promote scientific inquiry, and foster interest in
the fields of science, technology, engineering,
and mathematics (STEM) among students and the
broader community.
Medical Diagnostics and Imaging:
They play a vital role in medical diagnostics and
imaging techniques. By accurately determining
the refractive index of biological fluids and
tissues, medical professionals can enhance the
quality and accuracy of imaging technologies such
as microscopes, endoscopes, and medical lasers.

Fiber Optics and Telecommunications:


Understanding the behavior of light in different
media is essential for the efficient transmission of
data through fiber optic networks. The knowledge
aids in designing optical fibers with specific
properties, enabling high-speed communication,
and internet connectivity.

Environmental Monitoring and Analysis:


The ability can be applied in environmental
monitoring and analysis. For instance, in water
quality assessments, the refractive index of water
samples can provide insights into their
composition and purity, aiding in pollution
detection and environmental conservation efforts.
FUTURE SCOPE
The experimental investigation not only provides
valuable insights into the behavior of light but also
paves the way for further exploration and
applications.

1. Nanophotonics and Metamaterials:


Exploring the refractive index at the nanoscale
opens up avenues for studying unique optical
phenomena and designing metamaterials with
tailored refractive properties. Research in
nanophotonics could lead to breakthroughs in
miniaturized optics, photonic circuits, and novel
materials with extraordinary light-manipulating
capabilities.
2. Biomedical Optics and Biophotonics:
Applying the concepts of refractive index to
biological tissues and fluids can revolutionize
medical diagnostics, imaging, and therapeutics.
Future studies could delve into the development
of advanced optical techniques for non-invasive
disease detection, cellular imaging, and targeted
drug delivery based on refractive index
variations.
3.Quantum Optics and Quantum Information:
The intersection of optics with quantum
mechanics offers exciting possibilities in
quantum information processing and
communication. Investigating the refractive
properties of quantum materials and exploring
quantum optical phenomena could drive
innovations in quantum computing,
cryptography, and secure communication
protocols.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Weebly.com
2. byjus.com
3. marthomacollage.ac.in
4. youtube.com
5. academia.in
6. dmarampur.com

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